New Jewish gun club in NY chapters blends bullets and bagels as Oct. 7 date nears
Lox & Loaded expands across states, adding three New York chapters as safety concerns rise ahead of the Jewish high holidays.
A new Jewish-owned and -operated shooting club, Lox & Loaded, is expanding its New York footprint as Oct. 7 approaches, layering firearms training with bagels and schmear at sessions. The national member-based organization has 15 chapters across 10 states, including three in New York, and more than 1,000 members nationwide. In New York, chapters are in Nassau County, Suffolk County, and Westchester County, with nine more chapters expected to launch in the coming weeks.
The club began as a response to rising antisemitism and safety concerns, aiming to help Jewish communities practice self-defense. Friedman said the effort is about safety and readiness rather than fear, noting that many members join after receiving antisemitic threats or to help protect children. The group emphasizes learning how to avoid danger, escape when possible, and defend when there is no other option. The motto is Never Again Means Being Ready.
The club's activities include workshops, range days with certified instructors, and discussions on Jewish history. While many members are new to firearms, the program focuses on firearm safety and responsible handling, with the aim of increasing confidence and community resilience.
In New York, the three chapters are in Nassau County, Suffolk County, and Westchester; nine more chapters are planned to launch in the next few weeks. The organization has grown to about 1,000 members nationwide, with dues set at 118 dollars to honor the number 18, a Jewish symbol for life. Members typically meet monthly, with deli-style gatherings before sessions.
The move comes amid a spike in antisemitic incidents and threats. New York City hate crimes against Jews represented 54 percent of all such crimes in the first quarter of 2024, rising to 62 percent in the first quarter of 2025, according to the NYPD. The Anti-Defamation League reported 9,354 incidents of antisemitic assault, harassment, and vandalism nationwide in 2024, up 5 percent from 2023 and marking the highest level since the ADL began tracking the data in 1979. The group says the trend underscores why community education and preparation are part of its mission.
Westchester member Jay, who asked to be identified only by his first name, described the shifting attitude among some in the Jewish community, saying some have warmed to the idea of self-defense when it feels personal. The club emphasizes self-reliance, safety, and strengthening the Jewish community through workshops, range days, and speakers on Jewish history.
Safety and training are cited as empowering rather than fear-driven, with Friedman noting that the experience helps people protect themselves and their loved ones while remaining grounded in safety. The annual membership dues of 118 support ongoing training, equipment, and chapter events, most of which are monthly for now.
Lox & Loaded says its aim is to promote confidence, firearm safety, and community resilience, bridging the gap between concern and preparedness. As holiday periods approach and threats to synagogues continue to surface, the club points to its growing footprint as evidence that some in the Jewish community are seeking constructive, organized avenues for safety.