Blending queer identity with Second Amendment advocacy, Tucson’s Pink Pistols is redefining what self-defense looks like, offering LGBTQ+ community members a judgment-free space to learn, train and protect one another in an increasingly uncertain world.

The Pink Pistols was founded in the year 2000 under the motto, “Pick on Someone Your Own Caliber.” With more than 45 chapters nationwide, the LGBTQ+ gun rights organization is a nonpartisan shooting group.

Tucson’s chapter, founded earlier this year, describes itself as a “social club with a mission,” fostering community defense within a supportive, nonjudgmental environment.

At a time when queer people are nine times more likely to experience violent crime compared with non-LGBTQ+ people, one of the group’s main purposes is keeping each other safe.

“Back in 2016, I saw the world change. By 2020, I had gotten harassed a few times, and I felt unsafe, so I bought a gun,” said founder and President April Gendill. “My feeling on that is that armed minorities are harder to oppress. I hate that's the reality we live in, but that is the reality that we live in.”

In 2024, the Gay and Lesbian Alliance Against Defamation’s ALERT Desk tracked at least 918 anti-LGBTQ+ incidents across the United States, including 140 bomb threats, 140 acts of vandalism and 85 assaults

GLAAD launched the Anti-LGBTQ Extremism Reporting Tracker in 2022 to serve as a central hub for tracking anti-LGBTQ incidents nationwide The group reported that at least 90 injuries and seven deaths resulted from anti-LGBTQ+ violence in 2024.

Before starting Pink Pistols, Gendill had been seeking a sense of camaraderie at the shooting range.

“Originally, Pink Pistols was formed because I wanted people to shoot with,” Gendill said. “There didn't seem to be a group in Tucson that was queer-focused. I (looked) into starting one.”

The first meeting in February was held at a local boba tea shop, with Gendill setting low expectations for attendance. To her surprise, 40 people showed up, overwhelming expectations and demonstrating a community need for a safe space to seek arms education.

“It's sad to say that we live in a world right now where not a lot of people are defending the queer population,” said Kitty Garden, who is also one of the group’s executive board members. “Us reaching out here in Tucson to find our queer brothers and sisters and nonbinary humans gives them the knowledge that they're not alone and that we can and will have the right to defend ourselves should anybody try to come after us. You don't have to identify anywhere on the political spectrum, as long as you respect the Second Amendment.”

Sami Barghout, another founding member, is the group’s resident instructor, with previous firearms training experience through Operation Blazing Sword.

“I feel like whenever I'm introducing myself to somebody, it's a separate issue of coming out as bisexual and coming out as a gun owner, as an instructor,” he said. “I know a lot of other people have felt the same way. I think there's a lot of value in people to just be able to be themselves and share those commonalities.”

Founding member and executive board member Kate Brown said she was thrilled when she saw an ad for the first meeting.

“I'd always been looking for somebody to learn to shoot with that I felt I could trust,” she said. “People that understand why a person would be kind of nervous” to learn.

Education is a priority for the group, spanning several topics within responsible gun ownership, including how to safely handle firearms when children are at home, how to identify mental health concerns, and the ethical, legal and moral responsibilities of owning a firearm.

“When I bought my first gun in January, April took me to (the range) and helped me through the purchase, and then immediately showed me all the functions, how it worked and then I shot it,” said Cayce Kenney, the group’s director of digital community and safety. “(Without) that mentorship, it would probably still be in a locked box in my bedroom, because I would not feel safe shooting.”

Garden also purchased their first gun in January.

“We're always afraid of the things that we don't understand, so learning about them helps us sort of conquer that fear,” Garden said. “I carry my gun loaded with me, because of the education I received through the club and the confidence and the encouragement — like it's been transformative.”

Tactical training is also offered based on individual needs, with options including one-on-one training, classroom settings and larger hands-on training during the chapter’s monthly meetings.

The group is also working toward teaching and certifying members in CPR and “Stop the Bleed” training.

The reception by the community has also been overwhelmingly positive. Flyers have been posted across town and Gentill has handed her Pink Pistols business card to strangers, many genuinely excited to see a new gun group take root.

“I’ve had a lot of really positive interactions with community members around town, talking to people who you know would really like the opportunity to defend themselves, but tends to be a demographic that has gun violence used against them.” Brown said. “Just talking to a few people, and encouraging them to go to Pink Pistols, I've seen some people express a lot of interest, and relief, in a community that feels safe for them.”

In addition to resident instructor Barghout, the group has several mentors with vast knowledge of gun ownership whom members can approach with questions or concerns without fear of judgment.

One mentor with 30 years of gun ownership experience said a big part of their motivation to join was to be surrounded by people with the same shared interest.

“It's kind of weird being queer and also into guns because there's not a lot of overlap. Society conditions you to think there isn't,” said the member, who asked to remain anonymous. “Having people that you can be fully yourself with and just hang out or talk with has been really cool. Everyone has been super open and welcoming.”

Chapter meetings take place on the first Sunday of each month at the Ward 3 City Council Office and follow a familiar rhythm: introducing new board members, honoring members with trophies, and planning fundraising efforts and upcoming new-shooter classes to meet growing interest.

But June’s meeting included something more, as Garden paused to acknowledge the emotional weight Pride Month can carry for LGBTQ+ individuals. They reminded members that being a Pink Pistol isn’t about marksmanship, but about a shared belief in the Second Amendment—and encouraged anyone struggling to reach out for support.

Garden’s message served as a reminder that for this community, strength is found not just in arms, but in solidarity.

After the meeting, the group headed to the range for a social shoot. Goggles went on, ear protection snapped into place and the sharp scent of gunpowder filled the air. As bullets punched through colorful targets, talk shifted easily from marksmanship to everyday moments, a reminder that for the Pink Pistols, community matters as much as accuracy.

“I've been amazed at the community that has grown up around this,” said President Gendill. “I'm so proud of what our members do for each other. I'm very happy with the group that we've built here.”

Topacio “Topaz” Servellon is a freelance journalist based in Tucson. Contact them at topacioserve@gmail.com.

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