She never thought she’d do this.

For years, Anna Soyfer was firmly against gun ownership, shaped by stories of school shootings and easy access to firearms. Now, she and her husband are preparing to attend their first meeting of a Jewish firearm training group launching in St. Louis.

“Historically, I’ve been against gun ownership,” Soyfer said. “But with the increase in antisemitism, we feel more and more that our safety is in our hands.”

As Jewish gun groups see rising interest nationwide, that shift is now reaching St. Louis.

A local chapter of Lox & Loaded, a national organization focused on firearm safety and training within the Jewish community, will begin meeting May 18 at The Range St. Louis West in Ballwin. The group plans to hold monthly sessions that include instruction, safety briefings and supervised range time.

The sessions will include certified instructors from both the range and Lox & Loaded, with safety briefings and hands-on training for participants at all experience levels.

The St. Louis chapter is being organized by Steve Siegel, who said his own thinking changed after the Oct. 7 attacks in Israel.

“I did not want to have to hide my heritage just to survive,” Siegel said. “I wanted to feel like I could protect myself and my family if needed.”

Since announcing the chapter, Siegel said he’s heard from a wide range of people — including many who have never handled a firearm.

“I’m surprised at how many women are reaching out,” he said. “We’re seeing people who have never held a gun before, along with others who have been training for years.”

A shift taking hold

That mix reflects what leaders of Lox & Loaded say they are seeing across the country.

“We’ve seen a ton of interest,” said Gayle Pearlstein, co-founder and COO of the organization. “People are very curious and want to learn how to protect themselves.”

About 60% of members are new to firearms, while the rest already have experience, Pearlstein said. Many fall into a category that didn’t exist in large numbers before.

“A lot of people never thought they would own a gun,” she said.

Pearlstein said the increase in interest is tied to a broader sense of unease.

“People are scared. Some have been harassed or experienced antisemitism personally,” she said. “They understand how it starts, and what ‘never again’ means.”

Different paths, same concern

For Soyfer, the shift has been personal — and uneasy.

“I’ve never held a firearm in my hands, so ‘comfort’ is not a word I would use,” she said. “But learning in a group like this feels more approachable than walking into a range on my own.”

Others come in with more experience, but a similar sense that something has changed.

Joel Kevrick, who regularly shoots at a range, joined the group to build on skills he already has.

“I shoot on a regular basis, but I’ve never trained with professionals,” he said.

Like others, he said rising antisemitism is part of what’s driving interest.

“I’m not comfortable with what’s going on right now … antisemitism is at an all-time high,” Kevrick said. “I hope and pray that the day never comes that I have to use any of this training.”

Amy Friedman, a longtime advocate for responsible gun ownership, said the current moment feels different.

“Being visibly Jewish has become a high-risk activity,” she said. “I won’t wear my Proud Zionist sweater in non-Jewish spaces.”

While she is comfortable with firearms, Friedman said she is less comfortable with the reality behind that need.

“Comfort with the need for Jews to be armed? Sad, but comfortable,” she said. “It will be nice to not have to hide.”

Community and confidence

Lox & Loaded leaders say the organization is focused on building confidence through training and shared experience.

Nationally, that approach has brought together a mix of first-time participants and experienced gun owners, many seeking instruction, safety training and a better understanding of how to respond in high-stress situations.

Pearlstein said that combination — learning, preparation and community — has helped drive the group’s rapid expansion.

An open question

For now, the St. Louis chapter remains in its early stages, with its first meeting still ahead.

Siegel said part of that first session will be about understanding what participants want — and how comfortable they are.

Soyfer said she’s still figuring that out herself.

“We didn’t even know where to begin,” she said. “We’re hoping this group will guide us before we even consider purchasing a firearm.”

What happens next may look different for each person who walks through the door.

But for many, just showing up marks a shift that, not long ago, would have seemed impossible.

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