About

Still on the fence? Learn more about us!

What are you?

Pink Pistols Chicago is a 501(c)(3) public charity registered in Illinois. Donations to Pink Pistols Chicago are tax-deductible under Section 170 of the Internal Revenue Code. Find more information on our disclosures page.

From our bylaws:

We advance the safety and education of the LGBTQ community and other underserved populations by providing firearms safety instruction, education on the safe and lawful use of firearms for self‑defense, and community programs available to the public that promote responsible firearms practices.

From the national Pink Pistols group:

We are a shooting group that honors diversity and is open to all shooters. We help bring new shooters into the practice and provide a fun social environment for all our members. We work to build bridges between the shooting community and other communities, such as those based on alternative sexualities. We advocate the use of lawfully-owned, lawfully-concealed firearms for the self-defense of the sexual minority community.

Where do you meet up?

Typically we shoot at either Maxon or Shore Galleries. Check out our calendar for more info on upcoming events.

How do you keep people safe at events?

We’re dedicated to making sure that everyone is as safe as possible at our events. We take safety extremely seriously, both from the standpoint of avoiding physical injury and feeling comfortable being yourself and having your boundaries respected. Learn more about our safety policies and do not hesitate to contact us at [email protected] with any questions or concerns.

Here is a brief summary of our Code of Conduct:

Harassment: No harming, attacking, stalking, or intimidating others.
Dangerous & Illegal Behavior: No illegal or reckless behavior with firearms or disregarding safety instructions.
Hate, Bigotry & Genocide: No expressing or supporting hate, bigotry, or genocide in any form.
Anti-Democracy & Political Violence: No supporting authoritarian/fascist ideologies or political violence.
Discrimination: No discrimination based on gender, sexual orientation, race, religion, nationality, disability, or age.
Sexual Misconduct: No sexually explicit or pornographic behavior or unwanted advances.
Privacy & Consent: Respect privacy of others and stop interaction when consent is withdrawn.
Unwanted Photography: Get explicit verbal consent before including anyone in photos, videos, or livestreams.
Political Action: No political campaigning, advertising, propaganda, or election influence.
Deception & Misinformation: No deliberate deception or reckless spreading of false information.

We align with the policy of the national Pink Pistols organization of not keeping a list of members and never charging dues. Our events are open to the public and anyone may self-identify as a member of the Pink Pistols. We have no voting members and are managed by the Board of Directors of our not-for-profit organization.

The vast majority of our events are run by unpaid volunteers. If you’re interested in helping out in any capacity, please send an email to [email protected] and let us know!

Do I have to be LGBTQ+ to join?

We love allies! Unless an event is specifically marked as a ‘safe space’ event for members of a particular group, all of our events are welcoming to anyone who supports our mission. Your heterosexual and/or cisgender friends and loved ones are more than welcome to join us.

Any event that is marked as a ‘safe space’ event operates exclusively based on attendee self-identification. Questioning or interrogating any person’s bona fide claim or expression of their identity is not acceptable behavior.

What are your politics?

The Pink Pistols is a “single-issue” organization that focuses our efforts on the safe, legal, and effective use of firearms for self-defense. The Chicago chapter leadership would not describe ourselves as “apolitical”, but we do not take a public stance on behalf of the organization for issues that do not relate to our core mission.

We disallow open campaigning and advertising for political candidates or parties, but attendees are free to discuss political topics at our events. We encourage everyone to be their authentic self and bring their unique perspectives, however voicing support for authoritarian, fascist, or hateful views or advocating for political violence will not be tolerated.

Who’s in charge of this thing?

Want to help out? Send an email to [email protected] and let us know!

Raye (they/them)

President
Raye is an Illinois certified concealed carry license instructor. You can learn more about their classes and online educational content at the Ready Rainbow website.