Gun Ownership on the Rise in New Mexico’s Indian Country
In New Mexico’s vast Indian country, a new trend is emerging as locals seek to bridge a safety gap through gun ownership, according to experts in the state. The motto “No one is coming to save you” resonates among Native Americans in New Mexico, emphasizing the growing need for self-defense. Joe Talachy, a Pueblo of Pojoaque tribal officer and owner of one of the few Native-founded gun stores in the U.S., has witnessed this shift firsthand.
Talachy, with over a decade of tribal leadership experience, recognized the rising demand for self-defense tools and established Indigenous Arms 1680 Ltd. Co. in Santa Fe in 2021. The pandemic accelerated this trend, prompting an immediate surge in signups for firearms classes. Indigenous Arms offers various classes, including defensive shooting, basic pistol, basic rifle, hunter safety, long-range shooting, and concealed-carry courses, all led by certified U.S. Concealed Carry Association (USCCA) trainers.
The surge in gun sales that began in 2020, with an estimated 23 million firearms sold and over 21 million background checks conducted, reflects the nation’s growing interest in self-defense. Joe Talachy’s classes have attracted 15-20 enrollees each month, and among Native American women, there is a notable increase in interest.
The spike in women’s interest in gun ownership aligns with a national trend. In 2021, a third of all first-time gun purchasers were women, and female gun ownership increased by 77% between 2005 and 2020. Women of color, especially Black women, have been actively acquiring firearms.
“People are refusing to be victims,” says Talachy, highlighting the gun’s role as an equalizer. Women are embracing self-defense, recognizing that the right to protect oneself is universal.
Derek Gutfrucht, an account manager for Delta Defense in New Mexico, has also observed more women enrolling in firearm classes, emphasizing how firearm ownership empowers individuals to protect themselves.
Crime on tribal lands has long been a concern, with statistics revealing that a significant percentage of American Indian and Alaska Native women have experienced violence in their lifetime. The recent surge in missing and murdered Indigenous people prompted Joe Talachy to focus on self-defense training, given the limited response times of law enforcement agencies, particularly in rural areas.
Talachy’s personal connection to crime issues, including the murder of his older sister and his early life in an Illinois prison, fuels his commitment to helping others protect themselves. He aims to empower individuals with the tools and training they need.
The U.S. Concealed Carry Association (USCCA) shares this commitment, providing training to individuals across diverse communities to prepare them for potential threats as crime rates continue to rise nationwide.
As gun ownership rises in New Mexico’s Indian country, the message is clear: People are taking their safety into their own hands, equipped with the knowledge and tools to protect themselves and their loved ones. The mission remains simple: save lives.