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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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[-] ImgurRefugee114@reddthat.com 156 points 1 week ago

The victim's gun was in a waistband holster and an ICE agent took it before the other one shot him. The blatant lying is wild

[-] My_IFAKs___gone@lemmy.world 113 points 1 week ago

Good ol' No-Evidence Noem. "Just take my word for it, Cricket practically asked me to shoot him in the face with that shotgun. He was a Domestic ~~Terrier~~ Terrorist. Anyone who pisses me off is a Domestic Terrorist."

[-] Resonosity@lemmy.dbzer0.com 8 points 1 week ago

Clearly the dog had a gun with an intent to kill

[-] Switorik@lemmy.zip 63 points 1 week ago

This is one of the main reasons people don't vote blue. They care a lot about their firearms. If the red start going after them, grab some popcorn because things will go down. Maybe this is whats needed to get them to open their eyes.

[-] adespoton@lemmy.ca 66 points 1 week ago

“The dems want to take away your firearms!”

“That may or may not be true, but the GOP WILL just kill you and label you a terrorist if they find out you have a firearm.”

[-] kryptonianCodeMonkey@lemmy.world 23 points 1 week ago

That's been true for a long time in police interactions. Possessing a firearm in public alone has been justification for detainment, arrest and use of force including lethal force countless times.

[-] adespoton@lemmy.ca 14 points 1 week ago

Yes, but now it’s true for white male conservatives who just happen to be in the right place at the wrong time.

Not an equality they’re used to.

[-] AlecSadler@lemmy.dbzer0.com 13 points 1 week ago

Disagree. They're fine with it if the person doing it claims to be red.

Guarantee no die hard 2FA MAGAt changes their mind over any of this.

Trump voters have literally lost their business, their jobs, have had to relocate due to lifestyle collapse, and they still say voting for him is better than the alternative.

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[-] LadyMeow@lemmy.blahaj.zone 13 points 1 week ago

Yeah, I doubt very much this will matter to them. See: all the campaigning and crying they did over Epstein and now how they are good with covering that shit up, or making insane executes. The hypocrisy does not matter to them at all

[-] someone@lemmy.today 21 points 1 week ago

I disagree. I really think you are underestimating how much Americans, especially American men, especial rural men who hunt and don't like being bossed around by a government that's far away, want to buy whatever weapons they want without extra regulation.

For many people, they vote just based on the NRA's selection. If the Democrats became a more pro-gun party, they would gain a substantial amount of power in the US.

[-] LadyMeow@lemmy.blahaj.zone 8 points 1 week ago

Maybe, or they will just make it political: registered dems can’t own guns or something else insane. I guess we will see, I would have thought oedophilia would be the line, but if they are ok with that and suddenly 2a is the breaking point …. I mean I’m disgusted but if we get there we get there.

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[-] FatVegan@leminal.space 10 points 1 week ago

You know a country is deeply fucked when their guns are more important than literally everything else.

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[-] thermal_shock@lemmy.world 50 points 1 week ago
[-] Avicenna@programming.dev 14 points 1 week ago

plot twist, all the people in that photo are now ICE agents (except the black guy, he is deported).

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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.

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[-] 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.

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[-] 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.

[-] 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.

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[-] Subtracty@lemmy.world 25 points 1 week ago

How many kids had to die in school shootings in order to protect these 2A rights? But a holstered weapon is suddenly a threat to 6 men armed to the teeth and wearing body armor.

[-] DarkFuture@lemmy.world 10 points 1 week ago* (last edited 1 week ago)

But a holstered weapon is suddenly a threat

Couldn't have been a threat. It was removed from his possession before he was executed.

[-] Glide@lemmy.ca 24 points 1 week ago

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.

He died because he's the kind of person ICE fears most: someone who was willing to defend themselves, and knew how to do so legally.

He wasn't defending himself, he was curled up on the ground covering himself as he was pulled, pushed, and BEATEN in every which way. Once the gun was discovered and pulled the agent in the green sweater literally pulled out his pistol and started shooting.

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[-] elucubra@sopuli.xyz 21 points 1 week ago

What is it that you people don't understand about "The right's right to bear arms shall not be infringed"?

Maybe you should take a course to read good.

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[-] ChunkMcHorkle@lemmy.world 19 points 1 week ago

Anyone else remember the wild accusations all these years about how tHe LiBrUlS wAnNa TaKe Ur gUnS!

But wait. Anyone noticing how it's not the "libruls" shitting themselves right now, but the NRA and right-wing 2A groups who want no part of this new narrative?

For anyone paying attention, this was always the right wing plan. Always.

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[-] CharlesDarwin@lemmy.world 14 points 1 week ago

This is one of those "second amendment people" that the felon in chief liked to talk about.

[-] Aussieiuszko@aussie.zone 13 points 1 week ago

Push this angle, deconvert some magats.

[-] tburkhol@lemmy.world 20 points 1 week ago

Remember, Trump is the one who said, "Take the guns first, go through due process second." Way back in 2018.

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You won't deconvert them, they hate "teh libs" enough they'll take brutality before admitting they were wrong.

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

Psst.

It's because black people are open carrying.

Just like the last time Republicans started talking about gun control when black people started open carrying.

Psst.

The American conservative movement is a racist movement.

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[-] Someone8765210932@lemmy.world 12 points 1 week ago

Anyone who is even the slightest bit surprised by this wasn't paying attention.

[-] pineapplelover@lemmy.dbzer0.com 12 points 1 week ago

Don't tread on me people getting treaded on harder

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[-] Ancalagon@lemmy.world 11 points 1 week ago

Oh shit they scurred they about to go after gun rights.

[-] TronBronson@lemmy.world 11 points 1 week ago

Everyone in the trump admin is acting like the 2A will get you killed by them. They’re not violating the right they’re just murdering in tangent

[-] PointyFluff@lemmy.ml 10 points 1 week ago

Treat her like she treats puppies.

[-] DylanMc6@lemmy.dbzer0.com 9 points 1 week ago

We need more community defense classes now more than ever. Seriously!

[-] Bubbaonthebeach@lemmy.ca 8 points 1 week ago

Mega supporters might be coming to the realization that Trump and his fascist machinery will turn on them as fast as they have on anyone else. They don't have any power and as soon as the easier targets are gone that bullseye will switch to them. Probably will lose their cherished guns and "right to battle tyranny and govt outreach" long before they truly understand what they have willingly handed over to Trump and Co.

[-] Formfiller@lemmy.world 8 points 1 week ago* (last edited 1 week ago)

Can’t wait until Krusty Gnome is hanging around at the Hauge. You think she will be asking for her right to Habeas Corpus then?

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

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