"Hundreds of Jews" contact gun-training academy after Pittsburgh attack

[7962]

Source: France24

Hundreds of Jewish people in America have rushed to undertake training to learn how to shoot, after an attack on a synagogue in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, USA on October 27 that killed 11 people. A private company offering "Israeli tactical shooting techniques" has been inundated with hundreds of requests in the days following the shooting.

"There is no question that Jews are under threat in America. Would you say to soldiers on the front line, 'just lay down your guns and let the enemy kill you?' No. So Jews need to be armed," said Yonatan Stern, the founder of Cherev Gidon Israeli Tactical Training Academy, which offers classes in Pennsylvania and Arizona. Stern, a former officer of the Israel Defense Forces, created the academy six years ago, predicting, he says, that there would be attacks on the Jewish community in the United States.

The shooting at the Tree of Life synagogue in Pittsburgh was the deadliest attack on Jews in America’s history. Stern says that his organisation has received more requests for training from Jews in the days since the attack than in the entire time the academy has been running.

Normally, the academy offers training with different firearms – rifles, pistols, shotguns and Uzi submachine guns – from a basic level to advanced. But since the shooting, Cherev Gidon has focused primarily on a specific course that deals with how to respond to an active shooter in a synagogue. The course teaches many of the same skills that are taught in other classes, but with added situational details: how to immobilise an attacker in a location where there are a lot of civilians packed into a crowded space, for example.

Read more: http://observers.france24.com/en/20181102-jews-pittsburgh-synagogue-attack-firearms-guns-training

[mucifer]

1. Considering our numbers, hundreds of people is probably not that many

[leftynyc]

2. Some of us have been armed

for a long time already.

[7962]

4. +1000!

[marble falls]

3. I understand the drive and option, but I do not know that more guns is the answer.

[MosheFeingold]

5. I'm uncertain if there is a choice

Unless private security is going to be obtained. And it's very expensive. You can't expect the police to be there 24/7.

Every shul I've ever attended, since the Crown Heights issue, has a rapid response plan and drills, typically involving an armed response.

Many a heated argument regarding whether it was OK to carry a weapon to/from Shul on Shabbos.

Israeli members of the congregation just looked at us like we were stupid. "Of course, you carry. You're at war." (And then they cite the authority.)

[marble falls]

7. I am not going to argue against 'never forget'. But I have concerns about the logic regarding ...

"more guns, less violence".

[MosheFeingold]

10. I can't argue with you

I've taken your side, many times.

But my son moved me across the USA because of violence in our old neighborhood that is specifically targeting Orthodox Jews.

So many instances, most don't make the news.

I certainly prefer police or professional security. But when the shul is barely making rent, you have limited options.

The biggest conflict was about locking the door. We wanted any Jew to feel free coming in. But we also wanted to keep crazies out.

[FakeNoose]

6. The NRA approves this message

Now that the Jews are all buying guns, I guess the non-Jews have to stock up too. I mean it only makes sense right? Those crazy Jews with their new firearms will come blasting into the Christian churches on Sunday. We gotta be ready.

[7962]

9. Soon as that becomes a problem, yeah.

but so far, the Jews are probably some of the LEAST "crazy" among us!!
I know u were being sarcastic but someone out there would see it that way!

[MosheFeingold]

12. No we are no different

For example, David Berkowitz (son of sam) and Joel Rifkin.

[deurbano]

8. This claim seems to be based on self-reporting by a company that stands to profit from generating

attention to this option, and the only supporter quoted is a client. Is there a less self-serving source?

A private company offering "Israeli tactical shooting techniques" has been inundated with hundreds of requests in the days following the shooting.

"There is no question that Jews are under threat in America. Would you say to soldiers on the front line, 'just lay down your guns and let the enemy kill you?' No. So Jews need to be armed," said Yonatan Stern, the founder of Cherev Gidon Israeli Tactical Training Academy, which offers classes in Pennsylvania and Arizona. Stern, a former officer of the Israel Defense Forces, created the academy six years ago, predicting, he says, that there would be attacks on the Jewish community in the United States.

[The Liberal Lion]

11. Although I believe everyone should be prepared for what I think is inevitable

that doesn't necessarily include guns. I'm not telling anyone what to do, how to behave, or what measures they should take to be ready, but in this case, if true, only the gun manufactures will profit from this move.

[JustABozoOnThisBus]

13. Do synagogues typically allow firearms at services?

Or is this training designed for a few who are assigned security duties?

[Blue_Tires]

14. It wouldn't have prevented Pittsburgh but good for them, I guess...

[Cold War Spook]

15. Some Talmudic scholars say that since to fire a weapon you have to create a spark,

you may not carry a weapon on the Sabbath. Other Talmudic scholars says that you can protect yourselves or others and so you can carry a weapon on the Sabbath. I go with number two. Reason, it is the Sabbath and from your window you see a person hit by a car that just drives off. Even though you may not drive on the Sabbath or use your phone, you must do what ever you can to help this person and it is sin if you don't.