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 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.

    • madcaesar@lemmy.world
      3·
      6 days ago

      For the record, liberals need to open carry like these dudes here.

      Again, Democrats try to play nice, concealed, holstered weapons, instead of wearing full body Armor with ar15.

      I guarantee you no ice pussy would attack them, becuase they’d be afraid.

      • thermal_shock@lemmy.worldEnglish
        3·
        6 days ago

        I agree. Dems tend to pussyfoot hoping the shitbags do what’s right. We’re past that, they need consequences and penalties for being hateful, violent asshats.

      • BigPotato@lemmy.world
        1·
        6 days ago

        Except for when that open carrying leftist Vet got shot by the Uber driving other Vet when he decided that a low carry was a threatening posture and got off.

    • DarkFuture@lemmy.worldEnglish
      3·
      6 days ago

      Spoiler Alert: It’s because American conservatives are racist and black people are open carrying.

  • Subtracty@lemmy.world
    251·
    6 days 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.worldEnglish
      11·
      6 days 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.

  • elucubra@sopuli.xyz
    21·
    7 days 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.

  • DarkFuture@lemmy.worldEnglish
    12·
    6 days 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.

    • Gammelfisch@lemmy.world
      5·
      6 days ago

      Spot on! Ask Ronnie Motherfuck Reagan about your comment. California used to be open carry until 1968 (?). The Black Panthers were protesting and marched into the state capitol building with their rifles and pistols. Ron and a senator shit their racist pants and changed the gun laws.

  • ChunkMcHorkle@lemmy.worldEnglish
    191·
    7 days 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.

    • SoleInvictus@lemmy.blahaj.zone
      4·
      7 days ago

      Absolutely. I have an overarching theorem about US “Conservative” politicians and donors that I’ve been challenging for decades but remains unchanged.

      Tr;dr: the top brass are all fucking grifters.

      Their primary strategy is doing whatever is most effective and expedient for increasing their socioeconomic power, even if that directly contradicts their previous and current actions and alleged principles. They’re only ostensibly aligned with conservative values because they’re the best for meeting that goal, especially because true social conservative voters are overall both less educated and intelligent, and therefore less critical.

      Since noticing that, their actions are all quite consistent and predictable and the hypocrisy rarely surprises me.

  • Bubbaonthebeach@lemmy.caEnglish
    8·
    6 days 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.

  • TronBronson@lemmy.world
    10·
    7 days 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

    • w3dd1e@lemmy.zip
      12·
      6 days ago

      They already issued a milquetoast response on it and republicans are siding with Noem even tho it’s nonsense.

      It doesn’t matter what these clowns do. That cult of MAGA can do no wrong in their eyes. Greg Bovino could arrest Jesus for coming to the US illegally during the Second Coming and the conservatives would applaud him for getting rid of another illegal.

  • ImgurRefugee114@reddthat.com
    154·
    7 days 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

  • Gordon Calhoun@lemmy.world
    1121·
    7 days 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.”