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A number of pro-gun rights Republicans pushed back on the administration's argument that Alex Pretti was dangerous because he had a gun. Pretti was legally licensed to carry one.

A war of words over deeply held beliefs erupted on the political right in the hours after a federal agent shot and killed Alex Pretti on a Minneapolis street Saturday, pitting top officials in Donald Trump’s administration against Second Amendment defenders in his electoral base.

At the core of the debate is that Pretti — who was permitted to carry a gun in public in Minnesota — had a concealed firearm on his person that eyewitness videos show federal agents apparently discovering and removing during the altercation that led to his death. Videos do not appear to show Pretti holding the weapon during that confrontation.

Kristi Noem sought to justify the killing by asserting at a news conference that Pretti “attacked those officers, had a weapon on him, and multiple dozens of rounds of ammunition, wishing to inflict harm on these officers coming, brandishing like that and impeding their work that they were doing.” No evidence has been provided to back up this account.

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[-] hopesdead@startrek.website 42 points 1 week ago

I have always held the moral belief that no citizen should be allowed to legally own a firearm. That doesn’t mean we should just ignore current law.

[-] My_IFAKs___gone@lemmy.world 21 points 1 week ago

Why do you believe no citizen should be allowed to legally own a firearm?

[-] hopesdead@startrek.website 30 points 1 week ago

I am against firearms in general.

[-] My_IFAKs___gone@lemmy.world 21 points 1 week ago

Fair enough. The modern world would probably be an overall better place if firearms didn't exist.

[-] FluorideMind@lemmy.world 37 points 1 week ago

But they do exist. And you don't want the fascist to be the only ones who have them.

[-] Corporal_Punishment@feddit.uk 27 points 1 week ago

Well the fascists AND non-fascists have them in America. Not seeing how its making any difference.

2A was specifically written to help prevent a tyrannical government.

Hasn't worked.

[-] Asmodeus_Krang@infosec.pub 18 points 1 week ago* (last edited 1 week ago)

They're not magic talismans, you need to actually use them on tyrants. Fire Extinguishers don't ward off fires by just existing.

[-] Randelung@lemmy.world 6 points 1 week ago

Yes, that's the point.

[-] Pat_Riot@lemmy.today 13 points 1 week ago

It was never claimed that it would work overnight. You can't just plead the 2nd as if it were the 5th and , flash, everything is all democracy again. Organized and individual actions, both, will likely be necessary.

All the Second does for us is ensure that we weren't disarmed at this point. One thing I can guarantee is that nobody is going to be discussing any plans for retaliation on this forum or any like it.

[-] FluorideMind@lemmy.world 13 points 1 week ago

Every day we get closer to the tipping point. Arm yourself with a firearm and the knowledge on how to use it safely.

[-] Corporal_Punishment@feddit.uk 5 points 1 week ago

Thankfully I dont live in America.

I'm just watching in horror from a few thousand miles away

[-] peopleproblems@lemmy.world 4 points 1 week ago

If it's safe for you to have a firearm.

I think a lot of people skip that step.

[-] tburkhol@lemmy.world 12 points 1 week ago

The anti-fascist having a gun doesn't seem to have helped him in any way. Just giving the fascists a talking point for demonizing him after the fact.

[-] adb@lemmy.ml 12 points 1 week ago

They find talking points and demonize anyways.

[-] valek879@sh.itjust.works 8 points 1 week ago* (last edited 1 week ago)

They'll make up any excuse. This one is bullshit like the rest but this excuse is one that has been the law since 1791. People seem to really care about it and previous SCOTUSs have made very clear that no laws can infringe on that even when it's to prevent harm.

I feel so funny on this because I want to defend a right under attack by the rump admin but also it's a right I want limited in many ways... Just not right now.

[-] davepleasebehave@lemmy.world 4 points 1 week ago

pretty effective in the US with the second amendment nuts going crazy... and joining ICE

[-] Akasazh@lemmy.world 0 points 1 week ago

We have fascists here in Europe. They don't have guns.

[-] 0x0@lemmy.zip 1 points 1 week ago

It is, just look at all the other countries in the so called civilized world.

[-] Serinus@lemmy.world 6 points 1 week ago

The point being that there's a wide range of opinions on guns that should all agree being armed under current laws shouldn't be a death sentence.

[-] hopesdead@startrek.website 3 points 1 week ago

That too. I don’t think anyone abiding by the law should be killed. I agree. Let me be clear.

[-] LibertyLizard@slrpnk.net 5 points 1 week ago

I think the need for armed citizens to fight tyranny is real but it's also true that guns are very dangerous and cause a lot of problems in society.

My best solution is autonomous community armories. What do you think of that idea?

[-] 0x0@lemmy.zip 3 points 1 week ago

Wouldn't that create gatekeeping?
Everyone in the community can bear arms.. except those individuals we don't like.

[-] LibertyLizard@slrpnk.net 1 points 1 week ago

I think they'd be able to create their own armory if they want to. Just need to get a few people together.

this post was submitted on 25 Jan 2026
653 points (99.5% liked)

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