Ping-Ping – South OC Chapter Secretary
Ping-Ping was born and raised in Taiwan in a Christian family; she came to the United States when she was 17 years old. Ping-Ping has many memories of her mom helping others in need and volunteering in different capacities. She would like to set the same example for her children with the hope they will make volunteerism a part of their lives.
Ping-Ping is a member of the South Orange County Gun Owners: A CRPA Chapter. She was first introduced to CRPA at the chapter’s launch meeting in 2021 when she accepted an invitation from Donna Lins. Ping-Ping is eager to learn more about the legislative process and looks forward to growing the chapter in the coming years.
Also, a member and volunteer of the Asian Pacific American Gun Owners Association (APAGOA). Ping-Ping believes that gun ownership and firearm knowledge have given her confidence knowing that she can protect herself and her family. Her desire is that her kids will one day be able to exercise their right to bear arms. Ping-Ping has dedicated herself to the fight, and CRPA is grateful to have her as a member and volunteer.
Q: Do you have a message to share?
A: Yes, my message is specifically to women and Asian Pacific Americans. To all the women gun owners and those that are considering getting a gun to protect yourself or your family, second amendment rights are not just for men, it is for all of us. Let’s end the stereotype! We women need to come together, get educated, and stand up to protect our rights. To the Asian Pacific Americans gun owners, we may come from different cultural backgrounds, but we are all in this together. I urge and encourage you to join the people that are fighting for us on the local and state levels. Our voice and action matters!
Q: What is it about the 2A issue, specifically, that motivates you to volunteer?
A: I exercise the right to bear arms to protect myself, my family, and I also enjoy shooting for fun. Therefore, I can’t turn a blind eye to the 2A legal battles that we are constantly facing in California. I can’t fight it myself and fortunately CRPA is doing everything they can to fight for me and they inspire me to volunteer to show my support!
Q: Could you tell me a little more about your background and what role volunteerism has played in your life and your family’s life?
I was born and raised in Taiwan until I was 13 years old. Taiwan was going through a democratization process during that time. I grew up witnessing Taiwan going from being a single-party government to the rise of a first opposition party to the first direct presidential election in 1994 as well as the long-term tensions between Taiwan and China. As long as I could remember, my parents instilled in me patriotism towards Taiwan in addition to Christianity.
When I was 12 (one year before I left Taiwan), I saw a photo of the charred body of an advocate for freedom of speech, social movement, and democratization, who died from self-immolation, on the front page of a newspaper. It was shocking and I will never forget that image and the story behind it. As I learn more about the details as I get older, I’ve grown to respect and appreciate those that sacrifice themselves for their belief for the country.
I spent 4 years in Australia and came to the States to study in college at 17 years old. I was still very much aware of things happening in Taiwan. Especially because my parents and all of my extended family are still there till this day. However, during those times, I was not particularly interested in U.S. politics or governments until several years ago.
There have been many drastic changes in our country (U.S.) in the past few years regarding freedom of speech and the right to bear arms which has awakened the seeds that had been planted in me at a young age. The more I think about it the more I feel like my experience growing up in Taiwan translates to how I approach the changes in the U.S. In our country (U.S.), many before us sacrificed their lives for us to come this far and we are at a point where the freedom and the rights we’ve enjoyed need to be defended. I don’t think I can sit on the sideline without doing anything.
Q: Does anyone in your life play a role in supporting your involvement? In providing inspiration.
A: Both my parents support me. My parents live in Taiwan and all my mom’s volunteer work is in Taiwan. They don’t necessarily understand how things operate here but whenever I do something different, especially volunteer work, I would explain to help them understand and they are always supportive of me.
My kids also support me. I am a single mom with two teens and working full time. Any time that I spend doing volunteer work or taking training classes is time away from my kids. They understand what I do and why. They are very understanding and self-sufficient as their way of supporting me