Fighting back: LGBT community arms itself

'We're not surprised by it.'

When someone pokes us we tend to feel the need to poke back. Some do so with anger, others with playfulness; but some react with a fear-induced fight-or-flight response.

LOS ANGELES, CA (Catholic Online) - After fifty people were shot down at the Pulse Nightclub, many members of the LGBT community have expressed their fear of revealing their sexual orientation.

Some members of the LGBT community have responded by turning to the popular app Whisper, where they anonymously admitted their plans to "come out" to their loved ones have been pushed back in fear of falling prey to hate crimes.

Others responded by joining the Pink Pistols, a nationwide gun club geared toward the LGBT community.

In the Pink Pistols about section, it states: "We are dedicated to the legal, safe, and responsible use of firearms for self-defense of the sexual-minority community. We no longer believe it is the right of those who hate and fear gay, lesbian, bi, trans, or polyamorous persons to use us as targets for their rage. Self-defense is our RIGHT."

The group's Seattle Facebook page has been putting out messages to call for gun prohibitions in public places for states such as Oregon, which currently has no such laws. It also encourages people to learn more about gun safety and more comprehensive gun laws.

Dylan West, a member of the Pink Pistol's Facebook group explained how Sunday's mass shooting created a ripple effect in the LGBT community.

"This group of people were targeted because of their sexuality - because they were members of the LGBT community," he told NBC. "And I think that's the driving factor.

"I've had lots of friends reach out to me and ask if I could help them learn how to shoot and to learn the safety mechanisms. How to get started."

Meanwhile, gun sales continue to climb.

Many gun shops have seen jumps in revenue since the Orlando attack. Firearms dealer George Horne admitted his shop, The Gun Room, saw sales quadruple since Sunday.

Though business is good, the fear driving it is not. "We're not surprised by it," Horne admitted.

Mike Smith, a firearms instructor, explained an increase awareness in gun safety and handling is important.

"I think right now because of what happened, people are looking for answers. You walk into a gun shop and you expect to see people, frankly, who look like me. I think we forgot we're a country of all people, not just people who fit that predetermined mold. I look at it as a disenfranchised minority that needs someone who's willing to say I'm a resource who's here and willing to help."

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