2000

Doug Krick

– 2000 Founded Pink Pistols

Nicki Stallard

– spokesperson for Pink Pistols
– San Jose Pink Pistol coordinator

About Pink Pistols

Pink Pistols is a gun rights and shooting organization for LGBTQ people and their allies, founded in July 2000 by libertarian activist Doug “Krikket” Krick. The idea came from a March 2000 Salon.com essay by journalist Jonathan Rauch, who argued that gay Americans would be safer from violent attacks if more of them were known to carry firearms. Krick built the group around local chapters that meet to shoot together and introduce new members to firearms training, under the motto “Pick on someone your own caliber.” By October 2014 it reported at least 45 chapters across 33 states and three countries.

Pink Pistols drew national attention after the June 2016 Orlando nightclub shooting, when its membership was reported to jump from about 1,500 to more than 7,000 within weeks. Krick died in 2018, and Erin Palette, founder of Operation Blazing Sword, became president in September 2018, when the two groups merged their efforts. Former Top Shot champion Chris Cheng joined the board in January 2020. The organization remains a visible example of the broad and growing range of Americans who defend the right to keep and bear arms.

Key Facts

March 2000: Jonathan Rauch’s Salon.com essay inspires the group
July 2000: Pink Pistols founded by Doug Krick
October 2014: At least 45 chapters in 33 states and three countries
June 2016: Membership passes 7,000 after the Orlando nightclub shooting
September 2018: Erin Palette becomes president; merges with Operation Blazing Sword
January 2020: Top Shot winner Chris Cheng joins the board

Learn More

Operation Blazing Sword

Sources

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