Minnesota Jews Turn to Training and Community Amid Rising Antisemitism
A recent CBS Minnesota story highlights a growing reality facing Jewish communities across the country: as antisemitism continues to rise, more Jewish Americans are seeking out firearms training, safety education, and supportive communities where they can feel more prepared and less alone.
The article focuses on the Minnesota chapter of Lox & Loaded, which meets at Stock and Barrel in Eagan. According to CBS Minnesota, the chapter is part of a growing national movement, with Lox & Loaded now reporting 43 active chapters across 20 states and more than 1,000 members nationwide.
CBS notes that new findings from the American Jewish Committee’s 2025 State of Antisemitism in America Report show that 9 in 10 Jews in America reported feeling less safe, nearly 1 in 3 reported being the target of antisemitic incidents, and more than half said they have changed their behavior in some way. That growing fear is part of what is driving many first-time gun owners and new shooters to seek training, education, and a better understanding of safe firearm ownership.
The story also shares how many participants are not simply looking to learn how to shoot. They are looking to understand gun safety, safe storage, ownership laws, and how to protect themselves and their families responsibly. In that way, this movement is about more than firearms alone. It is also about confidence, preparedness, and community connection during a time of real concern.
For Minnesota chapter founder Leslie Chudnoff, the mission is rooted in helping people feel empowered rather than fearful. The CBS piece shows how quickly interest has grown, with more than 30 people attending the chapter’s first meeting in January and additional people still reaching out afterward to get involved.
As this story makes clear, Lox & Loaded is helping create space for Jewish individuals to come together, train responsibly, and support one another. At a time when many are feeling vulnerable, that sense of community and readiness is becoming more important than ever.
Read the full CBS Minnesota article here: As antisemitism surges, Minnesota Jews turn to the gun range for sense of safety – CBS Minnesota
Source: CBS Minnesota, March 5, 2026