The Matthew Shepard Hate Crimes Prevention Act might seem like an odd place to add a conceal and carry amendment. The gay community has historically aligned itself with the more liberal end of the political spectrum — the side that advocates gun control. But there are members of the gay community that have broken with this traditional stance. Among them are the Pink Pistols.

”Currently, the Matthew Shepard bill is good after-the-fact legislation, and it’s one of the better forms of hate crime bills I have seen. What the inclusion of reciprocity would give it is some before-the-fact preventative measures where laws permit gay and lesbian persons to take some proactive measures to protect themselves from harm,” said Gwendolyn Patton, international media spokesperson for the Pink Pistols.

The Pink Pistols, founded in 2000, are a nonpartisan group that provides an environment for members, primarily within the gay and lesbian community, to learn to shoot firearms.They actively advocate the Second Amendment because, as their page at pinkpistols.org states, “Armed Gays Don’t Get Bashed.” They also comprise part of the group that feels that the Matthew Shepard Act does not go far enough.

Written in response to the brutal murder of  college student Matthew Shepard in 1998, the Matthew Shepard Act is a piece of legislation that toughens federal laws regarding hate crimes. From the group’s site, matthewshepard.org,  “This bill is an appropriate and measured response to the unrelenting and under-addressed problem of violent hate crimes committed against individuals based on actual or perceived sexual orientation, gender, gender identity and disability.”

But those who feel this legislation isn’t quite strong enough have in recent months proposed an amendment to this act that, in the defense of gay rights, would let those who own firearms travel from state to state without violating concealed carry laws.

Since the proposed legislation seems so focused on the reduction of violence, it may come as a surprise that this amendment currently being discussed would reduce gun control.

Ms. Patton expressed optimism regarding the potential legislation.

”I think it stands a good chance,” she said. “I think it would bring some bipartisan support in. I think you’d bring some extra support in from the more conservative elements that would support pro-Second Amendment bills.”

She added that she hoped the proposed amendment would not drive away anyone who supported hate crimes legislation.

“It is actually a good addition, and so many of the states already have pistol carry laws of their own. All this is actually doing is giving full faith and credit for the people that already have such licensure in their home state so they can cross state borders and not worry about whether their licenses are honored in another state,” Patton said.

The gay community is not the only unexpected group working for expanded firearm rights.

The JPFO (Jews for the Preservation of Firearms Ownership) is a non-profit educational civil rights organization that has also formed an agenda based on the preservation of the Second Amendment.

This group reaches out beyond the Jewish community, encouraging non-Jews that “the only membership requirement is that support all of the Bill of Rights for all citizens!”

The JPFO even works to gain the support of children, and has produced a “free, downloadable pro-liberty coloring book that teaches firearms safety and fundamental freedom principles to young children.”

“It is important that people be able to defend themselves against criminals. Some people do not understand that the Second Amendment is the affirmation of a God-given right. It’s a preexisting law. The government has no right to deprive people of their right to defend their life,” said Aaron Zelman, founder and executive director of the JPFO.

He added, “There is a growing awareness within Americans. If that trend continues, there will be more interest. More people will want to be able to carry their guns with them for self-defense. This is growing nationally.”

However, not all members of the Jewish community observe this trend.

The Anti-Defamation League is an organization whose website proclaims its mission “to stop the defamation of the Jewish people… to secure justice and fair treatment to all.”

Steven Freeman, assistant director of the civil rights division of the ADL says that while groups like the JPFO have a right to their opinion, they represent a small fringe element of the Jewish community and that their stance does not represent that community as a whole.

Freeman spoke of a Jewish community with a historically strong stance in favor of gun control. He added, “I don’t think that has changed.”

Freeman cited the recent shooting at the Washington, D.C. Holocaust Museum as an example of the dangers of promoting the right to bear arms. He also expressed strong concern that the proposed policy would increase the frequency of these violent acts.

“It would make it easier for extremists to buy and use guns,” Freeman said.

Still, Patton was firm in her belief that the popular opinion is changing on the right to bear arms. “There has been an evolution towards a more proactive stance on these issues,” she said.

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