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.

  • Gordon Calhoun@lemmy.world
    68·
    15 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.”

    • DarkFuture@lemmy.worldEnglish
      2·
      14 days ago

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

    • madcaesar@lemmy.world
      2·
      14 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
        2·
        14 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·
        14 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.

  • Subtracty@lemmy.world
    201·
    15 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
      9·
      14 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.

  • Glide@lemmy.ca
    13·
    15 days 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.

  • ChunkMcHorkle@lemmy.worldEnglish
    121·
    15 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.

  • TronBronson@lemmy.world
    7·
    15 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

  • Bubbaonthebeach@lemmy.caEnglish
    7·
    14 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.

  • DarkFuture@lemmy.worldEnglish
    6·
    14 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
      4·
      14 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.

  • Formfiller@lemmy.world
    5·
    15 days 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?

    • SkunkWorkz@lemmy.world
      2·
      15 days ago

      Doubt she will ever set foot in the ICC, unless the next president will hand her over personally. Like the US president has the power to use all means necessary to free US service members when they are detained on behalf of the ICC. Meaning the US president can invade the Netherlands without the need for Congressional approval.