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EarlG

(23,490 posts)
Sat Jan 24, 2026, 02:28 PM Jan 24

So let me get this straight

If you are a white, middle-aged man with a legal concealed-carry permit, who happens to be exercising your Second Amendment right to carry a firearm, then:

a) If federal agents find that holstered firearm on you in the course of wrestling you to the ground, they can shoot you dead even if you are not brandishing the firearm, your hands are empty, and you are already incapacitated.

b) The federal government will immediately, without an investigation, say the fact that you were exercising your Second Amendment right means that you are a domestic terrorist who was plotting to assassinate agents and wanted to commit a massacre.

I'll go on record saying that I'm not a pro-Second Amendment person and I think that strong gun control is the way to go. But what the feds are doing in this case is a gun-grabber fantasy the left could never even dream of.

The last time DHS smeared a US citizen who was murdered by ICE, it was an uppity lesbian who was annoying a cop by being nice to him. No fucks given on the right there, I'm sure. But how will they feel when DHS tells them that the concealed weapon they love to carry means that they're fair game to be shot by unaccountable feds anytime, anyplace, anywhere, after which the feds will smear them as domestic terrorists and cop-killers just because they were carrying?

This is Trump's base we're talking about here. How deep can the cognitive dissonance get before something snaps?

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So let me get this straight (Original Post) EarlG Jan 24 OP
When you consider orangecrush Jan 24 #1
the MAGA gun humpers won't care lapfog_1 Jan 24 #2
ICE & law enforcement are just vehicles to fulfill their raging need to punish the left SunImp Jan 24 #40
The Constitution of the United States is dead. Justice matters. Jan 24 #3
I think it's already snapping... buzzycrumbhunger Jan 24 #4
Was curious about it BaronChocula Jan 24 #35
Pedestrians Have the Right of Way. MineralMan Jan 24 #5
Thinking about you today Cirsium Jan 24 #37
They know how to respond to the dog whistle... EarthFirst Jan 24 #6
It's hard to believe the subject would have been able to pull a gun surfered Jan 24 #7
The gun had already been removed from his holster and taken away Lulu KC Jan 24 #8
And he had just been blasted in the face catchnrelease Jan 24 #23
And he was wearing a zipped-up, mid-thigh length winter parka, making it really difficult to go for his waistband sop Jan 24 #16
I don't think they'll be able to weather this assassination in the street bigtree Jan 24 #9
This is clearly an assault on the First Amendment right to protest, in any way, by anyone Trump views as "the enemy." sop Jan 24 #17
Pretti was killed catchnrelease Jan 24 #25
Listening to Walz this is a civil war. Klarkashton Jan 24 #10
Yeah, but not enough are listening. (n/t) OldBaldy1701E Jan 25 #56
How deep can the cognitive dissonance get before something snaps? drmeow Jan 24 #11
Kick dalton99a Jan 24 #12
"How deep can the cognitive dissonance get before something snaps?" As deep as the ingrained pathological narrative sits ancianita Jan 24 #13
"If only Stalin knew!!!" - THAT'S how deep the cognitive dissonance is. hatrack Jan 24 #14
Yup, Fuck 'em. The rest of us need to stay strong and push back. Joinfortmill Jan 24 #32
Absolutely. It was never really about the 2nd Amendment. peppertree Jan 24 #15
& LIBRULL/PROGRESSIVE/ALTERNATIVE "Dilutes" Whiteness ForeGoneLegsBirne Jan 24 #33
I think it is purposeful..... usedtobedemgurl Jan 24 #18
The cognitive dissonance is infinitely deep angrychair Jan 24 #19
The Five Reasons Wars Happen littlemissmartypants Jan 24 #20
Two words: Kyle Rittenhouse Wednesdays Jan 24 #21
Who knows, maybe he joined ICE. Dulcinea Jan 24 #28
He'll never go hungry though, that's for sure. Wednesdays Jan 24 #30
It's not cognitive dissonance. LuvLoogie Jan 24 #22
Great point creeksneakers2 Jan 24 #24
Excellent point. We shall see. TickTock. Joinfortmill Jan 24 #26
This is great, but as I'm reading this I'm also thinking.... Native Jan 24 #27
The cognitive dissonance is that the ICE-goons get to have it both ways ... always FakeNoose Jan 24 #29
gun humpers have been warning about tyranny as long as I can remember Skittles Jan 24 #31
His base thinks the phone vids are AI lies. Brenda Jan 24 #34
Major setback for 2A sanity, possibly fatal gulliver Jan 24 #36
They don't believe the rules apply to them JustAnotherGen Jan 24 #38
This is an excellent point herding cats Jan 24 #39
Unlimited? But won't it be handy to have such a precedent.. lostnfound Jan 24 #41
Well now they are murdering white people - will magats give a rats ass? tazcat Jan 24 #42
I don't think they will care until it is one of them Tree Lady Jan 25 #45
They will wrap the propaganda and pain into a tangled web, that is nonsensical. yellow dahlia Jan 24 #43
Trump's base loves this iemanja Jan 24 #44
Yet it seems it was ok for Kyle Rittenhouse. Nt Figarosmom Jan 25 #46
ICE uses a two-prong test in determining who should be summarily executed. John1956PA Jan 25 #47
I actually think this incident has the potential to cause some fracturing among the 2A MAGA base and the... Ol Janx Spirit Jan 25 #48
This could easily happen to an off duty or retired cop in addition to civilians Historic NY Jan 25 #49
I Don't Think That The Reason This Man Was Killed DallasNE Jan 25 #50
I Hope the Base Knows what went on... Cha Jan 25 #51
Their "principles" have been shown to be a sham. They believe in us vs them and that's it unblock Jan 25 #52
Dear 2A Republican voters: this Trumpy government is the tyranny you've been warning us about. Beartracks Jan 25 #53
I think Stephen Miller wants some killings so the people riot, and Trump can say he's saving the country Doodley Jan 25 #54
Not sure it will snap RetiredParatrooper Jan 25 #55
Everyone who supports the Magatocracy has already completely snapped. ananda Jan 25 #57
It'll only become a problem if one of the magas gets shot and killed Javaman Jan 25 #58
Agreed seta1950 Jan 25 #59
"Let 'em through. They aren't here to get me" Rose Siding Jan 26 #60

orangecrush

(29,363 posts)
1. When you consider
Sat Jan 24, 2026, 02:31 PM
Jan 24


That their ranks are swelled with law enforcement that can't find work because of excessive force and behavioral issues, this should come as no surprise.

lapfog_1

(31,777 posts)
2. the MAGA gun humpers won't care
Sat Jan 24, 2026, 02:32 PM
Jan 24

the ICE agents and BP are their fellow travelers... they cannot imagine ICE shooting THEM plus the added bonus that this is their fantasy, to kill liberals and lesbians and anyone non-white.

SunImp

(2,654 posts)
40. ICE & law enforcement are just vehicles to fulfill their raging need to punish the left
Sat Jan 24, 2026, 05:27 PM
Jan 24

It doesn't matter if the means are legal or illegal to them whether it's through police brutality or some vigilante violence they'll eat it up & cheer. Sick mf all of them

Justice matters.

(9,556 posts)
3. The Constitution of the United States is dead.
Sat Jan 24, 2026, 02:32 PM
Jan 24

The Guardians Of Pedophiles killed it.

Welcome to Violent Chaos Land, because of them.

MineralMan

(150,879 posts)
5. Pedestrians Have the Right of Way.
Sat Jan 24, 2026, 02:36 PM
Jan 24

It is still a good idea to look both ways before crossing the street, though.

I learned that in first grade.

It is not the guns you carry that make you dangerous to despots and dictators. It is the guns nobody know you have.

Look both ways!

EarthFirst

(4,013 posts)
6. They know how to respond to the dog whistle...
Sat Jan 24, 2026, 02:37 PM
Jan 24

This particular execution was perpetrated against someone bearing witness to atrocities imposed on minority communities.

They’ll interpret this exactly how the narrative is being framed; and the comfort in their 2A’s that are tucked into their waistband will be defended at all cost.

surfered

(12,341 posts)
7. It's hard to believe the subject would have been able to pull a gun
Sat Jan 24, 2026, 02:38 PM
Jan 24

while prostrate on the ground held by six officers. Why wasn’t the one slugging the suspect trying to secure his hands?

These guys are not trained. Most appear to be just unprofessional yahoos with a mask, a badge (sometimes), and a gun.

Lulu KC

(8,742 posts)
8. The gun had already been removed from his holster and taken away
Sat Jan 24, 2026, 02:42 PM
Jan 24

An ICE guy ran up to him and took the gun and ran. There are videos all over the reddit /minneapolis page of this from different perspectives. He had no gun when he was shot, and he was pinned to the ground. The guy who shot him had 8 years at DHS.

Nothing's adding up the way they say it is. Nothing.

catchnrelease

(2,139 posts)
23. And he had just been blasted in the face
Sat Jan 24, 2026, 04:36 PM
Jan 24

He was sprayed point blank in the face with pepper spray just seconds before he was dragged to the ground. He was in the middle of trying to help a woman up who had just been pushed to the ground by ICE guys. They were both sprayed in the face then.

sop

(17,927 posts)
16. And he was wearing a zipped-up, mid-thigh length winter parka, making it really difficult to go for his waistband
Sat Jan 24, 2026, 04:23 PM
Jan 24

or holstered gun.

bigtree

(93,731 posts)
9. I don't think they'll be able to weather this assassination in the street
Sat Jan 24, 2026, 02:44 PM
Jan 24

...because the federal government has progressed from just attacking a narrow set of people in the country to what can only be percieved as outright war on ANYONE in America, citizens or not, law-abiding or not who they decide is against their self-appointed interests.

I think most Americans already percieved that. This should bring an unprecedented number to the streets, and I would hope that republicans are peeing themselves at the prospect.

They should spend this time watching documentaries from other nations whose people rose up and deposed murderous autocrats.

sop

(17,927 posts)
17. This is clearly an assault on the First Amendment right to protest, in any way, by anyone Trump views as "the enemy."
Sat Jan 24, 2026, 04:26 PM
Jan 24

drmeow

(5,961 posts)
11. How deep can the cognitive dissonance get before something snaps?
Sat Jan 24, 2026, 03:33 PM
Jan 24

Cognitive dissonance means you will change whatever it takes to make you comfortable again. When you are a brainwashed cult member, you can't change your believe in the people in power over you. So, to eliminate your discomfort, you will accept every and any excuse they give you. The cognitive dissonance is what makes them not believe the videos - it won't make them change their mind about Trump and his goons.

"The Party told you to reject the evidence of your eyes and ears. It was their final, most essential command." - THAT was the snap: the rejection of any and all facts and clear evidence.


ancianita

(43,162 posts)
13. "How deep can the cognitive dissonance get before something snaps?" As deep as the ingrained pathological narrative sits
Sat Jan 24, 2026, 04:15 PM
Jan 24

in the hearts and minds of the individuals who we know as the hardened trumpcult.

hatrack

(64,503 posts)
14. "If only Stalin knew!!!" - THAT'S how deep the cognitive dissonance is.
Sat Jan 24, 2026, 04:17 PM
Jan 24

And that's how deep it will be for the foreseeable future for at least 20% of the population of this fucked-up country.

peppertree

(23,187 posts)
15. Absolutely. It was never really about the 2nd Amendment.
Sat Jan 24, 2026, 04:23 PM
Jan 24

It was always about fomenting highly-armed (and well-financed) paramilitaries - with "absolute immunity" and at the disposal of whomever they could use as a fascist dictator.

For anyone else - as you noted - the 2nd Amendment doesn't apply - and exercise thereof, however prudent (as in this case), will be used as a pretext to execute said person.

Especially if perceived to be a "lib'rul."

usedtobedemgurl

(1,944 posts)
18. I think it is purposeful.....
Sat Jan 24, 2026, 04:28 PM
Jan 24

If they cannot get liberals to be violent, so they can bring out the insurrection act, then they turn to people to anger because they have been proven violent. J6 was not a friendly tour group.

angrychair

(11,902 posts)
19. The cognitive dissonance is infinitely deep
Sat Jan 24, 2026, 04:29 PM
Jan 24

When it comes to mango Mussolini. I mean they used to scream endlessly about the "Epstein Files" and now they scream its a Democratic plot against Trump.
They now love pedophiles and even blame the little girls themselves for causing it.

The Republican Party is a domestic terrorist organization and should be disbanded. It's not a difference of opinion. It's moral and ethical imperative.

Native

(7,327 posts)
27. This is great, but as I'm reading this I'm also thinking....
Sat Jan 24, 2026, 04:39 PM
Jan 24

These people can barely walk and chew gum at the same time, and we're assuming they can hold two separate thoughts or beliefs simultaneously?

FakeNoose

(40,730 posts)
29. The cognitive dissonance is that the ICE-goons get to have it both ways ... always
Sat Jan 24, 2026, 04:43 PM
Jan 24

The ICE-goons can commit murder and tell lies about their actions because ... reasons. Because they are ICE and they don't need any other reason. But on the same token they aren't police officers, because then they would have to follow standard LEO procedures. They would be required to have many months of training, and they would have to answer to superiors. Nope, none of that for them.

Skittles

(170,206 posts)
31. gun humpers have been warning about tyranny as long as I can remember
Sat Jan 24, 2026, 04:46 PM
Jan 24

now that it's actually here, they not only SUPPORT tyranny, they PARTICIPATE

Brenda

(1,972 posts)
34. His base thinks the phone vids are AI lies.
Sat Jan 24, 2026, 04:51 PM
Jan 24

So they don't believe the true recorded facts of the murder.

Instead they believe every word that comes out of DHS, ICE and of course Der Chump.

We really are at an inflection point.

It's not just the ICE and CBP murderous, violent and illegal actions that are piling up around the country - even in Maine for fuck's sake - it's the avalanche of chaos and collapse brought on by tariffs, illegal "wars" and the price of beef, to name a few.

The snapping will happen before the mid terms but then there's the huge likelihood the Fascist Fucks will make it worse after the Dems sweep.

The Dems in office now and in the future cannot STAND BY! I'm glad to see Walz activating the National Guard and working closely with the Police of Minneapolis. ACTION.


gulliver

(13,806 posts)
36. Major setback for 2A sanity, possibly fatal
Sat Jan 24, 2026, 04:59 PM
Jan 24

The guy should definitely have not had a gun at a peaceful protest. Democratic leaders should be telling all peaceful protesters that guns should not be brought to protests. It may be too late. I hope not.

Right wing 2A absolutists are definitely going to defend this guy's right to carry his gun at a public event billed as peaceful protest. They are going to be very validated by this. That's not good. Not good at all.

JustAnotherGen

(37,771 posts)
38. They don't believe the rules apply to them
Sat Jan 24, 2026, 05:02 PM
Jan 24

But how will they feel when DHS tells them that the concealed weapon they love to carry means that they're fair game to be shot by unaccountable feds anytime, anyplace, anywhere, after which the feds will smear them as domestic terrorists and cop-killers just because they were carrying?

This is Trump's base we're talking about here. How deep can the cognitive dissonance get before something snaps?


They think they are free.

herding cats

(19,996 posts)
39. This is an excellent point
Sat Jan 24, 2026, 05:07 PM
Jan 24

It's at least one angle we need to be screaming from the rooftops about this blatant abuse of power.

There are multiple videos showing the man was both disarmed when he was shot and was at no point brandishing his lawfully carried weapon at the ICE agents.

They walked right through his constitutional right to carry and twisted it back on him as an excuse for his killing. All while he broke no laws nor protocols for properly carrying his firearm.

lostnfound

(17,440 posts)
41. Unlimited? But won't it be handy to have such a precedent..
Sat Jan 24, 2026, 10:14 PM
Jan 24

when liberals take over?

Clearly not likely, in MAGA minds.

tazcat

(246 posts)
42. Well now they are murdering white people - will magats give a rats ass?
Sat Jan 24, 2026, 10:14 PM
Jan 24

I remember Alton Sterling in Baton Rouge killed 5July 16 had a gun in his pocket not going for it. The very next day, 6July16
Philando Castile from Minnesota was shot and killed by a cop after telling him he was legally carrying a gun gun but was going for his wallet.
Of course both these men were black so nobody cared. What a sick country this is. Alex Pretti was a caring VA nurse - he was a helper.
All the vets who voted for this traitorous draft dodger should be scorned. They will not take away my pride in faithfully serving my country.

Tree Lady

(13,106 posts)
45. I don't think they will care until it is one of them
Sun Jan 25, 2026, 12:32 AM
Jan 25

If ICE screws up and kills a maga by mistake that would be interesting to see what would happen.

iemanja

(57,624 posts)
44. Trump's base loves this
Sat Jan 24, 2026, 10:36 PM
Jan 24

ICE can’t murder enough people to please them. I’ve seen that scum on FB and X. They are the worst of the worst. The only solace I take is knowing they will rot in hell.

John1956PA

(4,892 posts)
47. ICE uses a two-prong test in determining who should be summarily executed.
Sun Jan 25, 2026, 12:48 AM
Jan 25

Prong No 1: The victim is someone ICE does not like.
Prong No 2: The victim is carrying a firearm.

Note: ICE feels it has free rein to spontaneously attack (absent provocation) any victim in order to determine if that victim meets the aforesaid two-prong test. If the test requirements are met, it is within ICE's prerogative to summarily execute the individual.

This is what fascism is.

Ol Janx Spirit

(827 posts)
48. I actually think this incident has the potential to cause some fracturing among the 2A MAGA base and the...
Sun Jan 25, 2026, 12:56 AM
Jan 25

...MalAdministration.

It appears that Turnip himself posted this gem to Truthless Social:

"HE HAD A GUN, ONLY CRIMINALS CARRY GUNS ON OUR STREETS, WE NEED LAW AND ORDER."

I don't think this will actually go over well with MAGAs who've been pushing for years the idea that we all need to be able--no, make that: have a responsibility--to carry as many guns of whatever type wherever we want because of some nonsense about a good guy with a gun.

They are stupid, but they actually aren't THAT stupid.

Disarming someone with a carry permit and then killing them and then saying anyone exercising their "2A rights" is a criminal will definitely remind a lot of them how they always said they needed guns to protect themselves FROM the government.

Liberal or not, he was one of them: a legal gun owner with a permit carrying his weapon of choice. If those turn out to be the true facts, this will make a lot of them sit up and take notice--as horrible as they are....

Historic NY

(39,801 posts)
49. This could easily happen to an off duty or retired cop in addition to civilians
Sun Jan 25, 2026, 01:23 AM
Jan 25

The victim here intervene in the assaults made on two women.

DallasNE

(7,984 posts)
50. I Don't Think That The Reason This Man Was Killed
Sun Jan 25, 2026, 02:45 AM
Jan 25

Was because of the (legal) concealed weapon he was carrying, but because of the unconcealed camera-phone he was carrying.

Cha

(317,721 posts)
51. I Hope the Base Knows what went on...
Sun Jan 25, 2026, 03:01 AM
Jan 25

and not some Gaslit version Full of Lies by Screw you Over "news".

Thanks for making This So Clear What Happened on DU, EarlG.

unblock

(56,081 posts)
52. Their "principles" have been shown to be a sham. They believe in us vs them and that's it
Sun Jan 25, 2026, 03:04 AM
Jan 25

Rules and laws are a joke to them, just an excuse to be cruel to us.

The only thing they believe in is white good, black bad; man good, woman bad; Christian good, others bad.

Every other "principle" is just crap they say to try to control us.

Beartracks

(14,461 posts)
53. Dear 2A Republican voters: this Trumpy government is the tyranny you've been warning us about.
Sun Jan 25, 2026, 04:02 AM
Jan 25

The rest of America sincerely hopes and prays that you care more about this horrendous and dangerous problem than your elected Republican officials who are complicit in their silence.

===================

Doodley

(11,779 posts)
54. I think Stephen Miller wants some killings so the people riot, and Trump can say he's saving the country
Sun Jan 25, 2026, 04:19 AM
Jan 25

from civil war with the insurrection act, and therefore have an excuse to "postpone" elections. In this scenario, it doesn't matter if a few of the MAGA base peel off.

ananda

(34,598 posts)
57. Everyone who supports the Magatocracy has already completely snapped.
Sun Jan 25, 2026, 09:02 AM
Jan 25

It's those who don't who are on the verge.

Javaman

(65,415 posts)
58. It'll only become a problem if one of the magas gets shot and killed
Sun Jan 25, 2026, 09:37 AM
Jan 25

Until then, it’s business as usual for the constitution cherry picking fascists

Rose Siding

(32,629 posts)
60. "Let 'em through. They aren't here to get me"
Mon Jan 26, 2026, 08:40 PM
Jan 26

That's what Don, the felon, said when armed J sixers were bottle necked at the metal detectors in DC.

He hates who he hates. And, fwiw, he really hates Tim Walz, for words during the campaign. The foundation caked skin is thin.

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