In the face of rising anti-Semitic violence and hate crimes, The Armed Jew explores the essential role of gun ownership in the Jewish experience, both historically and in contemporary society. With rising threats to Jewish communities worldwide, this book argues that the right to bear arms is not just a matter of self-defense, but an integral part of Jewish history and survival.Despite the increasingly manifest threats to American Jews, in particular, they remain among one of the demographic groups that are least likely to own firearms, which leaves them defenseless and further invites aggression. Adam L. Fuller argues that guns have been vital tools in protecting Jewish communities for centuries. From the medieval self-defense of Jewish settlements to Jewish gangsters, vigilantes, soldiers, law officers, and resistance efforts during the Holocaust, guns have been crucial in the preservation of life and dignity. Drawing on a careful study of Jewish sociocultural and religious traditions in dialogue with Jewish historical experience, as well as conversations with Jewish gun owners, Fuller makes a compelling argument for why Jews should embrace their right to own and carry firearms as part of their broader struggle for safety and autonomy.The Armed Jew challenges assumptions, empowers Jewish communities, and provides a thought-provoking perspective on the intersection of faith, identity, and self-defense in the modern world.
