Fox News presenter and Trump-advocate, Tomi Lahren, has caused controversy after posting an Instagram wearing gym leggings specifically designed to help women carry weapons. The leggings, by Alexo Athletica, have a pocked in the front where women in the US can store a gun while they exercise.
Endorsing the brand, Lahren posted the image with the caption ‘Live. Speak. Stand. Run. Carry with Confidence. Ladies, chances are your assailant is gonna be bigger, stronger and faster and that’s why you have @alexoathletica for your gun, your mace, or even your phone. Yeah, you’ve got it covered. #TeamTomi #alexoathletica #NotYourAverageGunGirl’.
This comes at a very sensitive time for gun-control in the US, just days after hundreds of thousands of people attended the March For Our Lives protest, aimed at increasing gun-control following 17 high school students being killed in yet another school shooting. The ill-timed post has garnered heavy criticism, however is unsurprising since Lahren told TMZ that March For Our Lives was ‘not my cause’.
Alexo Athletica has re-posted the image, ‘honoured’ by her endorsement and continue to defend their clothing against those who doubt it. One Instagram user commented, ‘it doesn’t look very secure’, with alexoatheltica responding ‘they are tested and approved for 17 oz or less since they are designed for rigorous activity’.
Many are unconvinced by the ‘rigorous activity’ claim though, given many exercises involve bending over and so would at the very least be uncomfortable, never mind extremely dangerous.
The brand also disturbingly encourages carrying a knife in the front pocket, which again raises the same safety and comfort concern.
It may just be because we’re not used to guns in the UK, but exercising while having a gun strapped to your waist just doesn’t sound like a good idea.