Welcome to DU! The truly grassroots left-of-center political community where regular people, not algorithms, drive the discussions and set the standards. Join the community: Create a free account Support DU (and get rid of ads!): Become a Star Member Latest Breaking News Editorials & Other Articles General Discussion The DU Lounge All Forums Issue Forums Culture Forums Alliance Forums Region Forums Support Forums Help & Search

MayReasonRule

(4,137 posts)
Sun Jan 25, 2026, 11:48 AM Jan 2026

"You cannot bring a firearm, loaded, with multiple magazines to any sort of protest that you want. It's that simple."

"You cannot bring a firearm, loaded, with multiple magazines to any sort of protest that you want. It's that simple."

Mrs. Betty Bowers (@mrsbettybowers.bsky.social) 2026-01-25T15:42:09.280Z
74 replies = new reply since forum marked as read
Highlight: NoneDon't highlight anything 5 newestHighlight 5 most recent replies
"You cannot bring a firearm, loaded, with multiple magazines to any sort of protest that you want. It's that simple." (Original Post) MayReasonRule Jan 2026 OP
Meal Team 6 OC375 Jan 2026 #1
"yeah, but that stellar citizen was on OUR side" Whyisthisstillclose Jan 2026 #2
I'm going to wait for the NRA's statement defending Pretti's unequivocal 2A rights. CincyDem Jan 2026 #3
There have been some remarks: milestogo Jan 2026 #7
Of course he's an (R) or an avowed hypocrite. enigmania Jan 2026 #67
Here Ya' Go... MayReasonRule Jan 2026 #15
Fuck the NRA COL Mustard Jan 2026 #22
NRA talking out of both sides of its mouth 70sEraVet Jan 2026 #36
Growing up in farm country Klondike Kat Jan 2026 #42
Let us not forget popsdenver Jan 2026 #71
LIARS! GiqueCee Jan 2026 #47
I grew up collecting medals from the NRA for my marksmamship MadameButterfly Jan 2026 #53
NRA even know they disarmed him before murdering him? Emile Jan 2026 #49
victim perceived as a liberal Skittles Jan 2026 #62
The NRA is a criminal organization lonely bird Jan 2026 #59
Any statement with the word "Robust" in it is immediately disqualified. NBachers Jan 2026 #63
I hope you're not holding your breath.... COL Mustard Jan 2026 #20
Did ICe Killers scan Alex's face and already know all about him? delisen Jan 2026 #4
Excellent questions. How did the one agent know to look for the gun? Why did he immediately Gaugamela Jan 2026 #16
Negligent discharge of a weapon Blue Full Moon Jan 2026 #21
What? Eleven times? Gaugamela Jan 2026 #29
You're assuming they're that organized and that intelligent. Chances lean strongly towards no. paleotn Jan 2026 #23
This regime is hoping and praying that some useful idiot Ferryboat Jan 2026 #5
I agree don't give them reasons to escalate thinkingagain Jan 2026 #13
The only thing they can stop a bad guy with a gun, is a good guy with a camera Seinan Sensei Jan 2026 #33
Yeah...but it takes nothing to "escalate" those fuckers. Look cross eyed at them and they Bengus81 Jan 2026 #40
Agreed thinkingagain Jan 2026 #54
Yes, I've seen that argument on Bluesky - they have their Palantir database TBF Jan 2026 #17
Historically, Strategic Surreptitious Strike Strategies Play A Major Role Against Overwhelming Force MayReasonRule Jan 2026 #18
Love Matt Berry. nt Maru Kitteh Jan 2026 #46
The discipline you describe is not possible. hay rick Jan 2026 #19
They are going to do it regardless Blue Full Moon Jan 2026 #24
And fail in their mission. It's is and always will be about public perception. paleotn Jan 2026 #32
They don't care about public perception. Blue Full Moon Jan 2026 #34
That is where you're wrong. They do. They have to. paleotn Jan 2026 #38
Agree that they don't care about public perception and Dems? AllyCat Jan 2026 #37
Then why is Donnie so in a twist about opinion polls? paleotn Jan 2026 #39
And yet, 7 democrats just handed ICE thugs another $10B AllyCat Jan 2026 #43
Seen what's happened in the Senate on that legislation? paleotn Jan 2026 #44
I've seen their overall actions so far. AllyCat Jan 2026 #56
And it's a miracle no one has. paleotn Jan 2026 #26
Leave the guns at home. Full stop. COL Mustard Jan 2026 #27
Then they'll claim that a protester being ONLY twenty five feet away was impeding an arrest Bengus81 Jan 2026 #41
The pigs fire all kinds of shit at protesters that aren't doing a goddamn thing. Klarkashton Jan 2026 #52
Yes, knowing what we know, never bring a gun or anything else to throw at them Beringia Jan 2026 #64
Don't RW nutriders open carry at their demonstrations? They truly are schizophrenic (in the split-mind sense) not an artemisia1 Jan 2026 #6
Ruby Ridge Emile Jan 2026 #8
What's really bad, they disarmed him before murdering him. Emile Jan 2026 #9
That makes what they did premeditated. Kid Berwyn Jan 2026 #11
+1. It was murder. dalton99a Jan 2026 #14
An execution Seinan Sensei Jan 2026 #28
Need to be extra cautious RoseTrellis Jan 2026 #12
Police then escorted that killer to safety across state lines. Kid Berwyn Jan 2026 #10
How soon the fools forget... WokeAintWhatIAm Jan 2026 #25
The assholes have been convincing us for 4 decades now that 2A is absolute. Initech Jan 2026 #30
As I recall, guns were all over DC on Jan. 6, 2021, including the one that Ashley Babbitt allegorical oracle Jan 2026 #74
Michigan in April 2020 y'all WokeAintWhatIAm Jan 2026 #31
Exactly. These mask-wearing imbeciles were protesting Covid-19 mask mandates and shutdowns. sop Jan 2026 #35
A little rain and their Levis will chafe and wear them down. BidenRocks Jan 2026 #45
The MAGA Covid-19 goons look just like today's ICE goons. sop Jan 2026 #48
Dear Goddess, I remember that image! niyad Jan 2026 #66
There was no protest. There were people outside in an area mzmolly Jan 2026 #50
Thank you. They tried to establish that yesterday and of course the media went right along. underpants Jan 2026 #51
Wilhoit's Law usonian Jan 2026 #55
US Capitol attack insurrectionists had weapons, including firearms CNYHarris Jan 2026 #57
Many of our "freedoms" are merely illusions dlk Jan 2026 #58
From the hill top.... FormerOstrich Jan 2026 #60
This is not a good comparison. gulliver Jan 2026 #61
It's still within the 7 yr federal statute of limitations to charge him ChicagoTeamster Jan 2026 #65
Apparently the moron MISSED the protest inside the Michigan Capital Building in 2020, Jack Valentino Jan 2026 #68
These fucking scumbags cheer on murderers and psychopaths every time. Initech Jan 2026 #69
The NRA has only ever given a shit about right-wing Republican gun rights. hadEnuf Jan 2026 #70
The Republican double standard is too obvious to ignore. Legally armed Democrats will be killed. Martin68 Jan 2026 #72
1791. Aussie105 Jan 2026 #73

OC375

(1,099 posts)
1. Meal Team 6
Sun Jan 25, 2026, 11:51 AM
Jan 2026

Wait till they show up in MN, get beaten, and then more show up, etc… Going to be a hot spring.

CincyDem

(7,408 posts)
3. I'm going to wait for the NRA's statement defending Pretti's unequivocal 2A rights.
Sun Jan 25, 2026, 11:54 AM
Jan 2026

Waiting…

Waiting…

Waiting…

Waiting…

milestogo

(23,188 posts)
7. There have been some remarks:
Sun Jan 25, 2026, 12:09 PM
Jan 2026

First Assistant U.S. Attorney Bill Essayli, a top federal prosecutor in Los Angeles, posted on social media that if a person approaches law enforcement with a gun, there’s a good change that officer will be justified in shooting that person.

The NRA reacted to the prosecutor’s comments, calling them dangerous and wrong. The gun rights group said prosecutors should not demonize law-abiding citizens and should wait until a full investigation is complete.

https://www.fox10tv.com/2026/01/25/nra-slams-federal-prosecutors-post-about-minneapolis-shooting-dangerous-wrong/

COL Mustard

(8,378 posts)
22. Fuck the NRA
Sun Jan 25, 2026, 12:56 PM
Jan 2026

Damn them to Hell, along with all their guns & ammo. Let them shoot the Hell out of Hell all they want.

70sEraVet

(5,604 posts)
36. NRA talking out of both sides of its mouth
Sun Jan 25, 2026, 01:11 PM
Jan 2026

From "....politicians like Tim Walz has incited violence...", to "we urge the political voices to lower the temperature..."

Urging the lowering of temperatures while pouring the gasoline.

Screw them. They have been making their money by scaring white people with the prophecy of a race war.

Klondike Kat

(945 posts)
42. Growing up in farm country
Sun Jan 25, 2026, 01:50 PM
Jan 2026

I've seen loads of manure, but nothing like the load that the NRA just shoveled.

popsdenver

(2,592 posts)
71. Let us not forget
Sun Jan 25, 2026, 11:55 PM
Jan 2026

that in the 2016 Election, the NRA was instrumental in treasonously laundering Tens of Millions from Russian Oligarchs/Putin into "campaign donations" for Republican Candidates across the nation.........

GiqueCee

(4,700 posts)
47. LIARS!
Sun Jan 25, 2026, 02:04 PM
Jan 2026

Tim Walz's toenail clippings are better than any of you lying rancid scumbags. Decades ago, I was a member of the NRA, back when it was a responsible sportsmen's association that promoted firearms safety. Then Wayne LaPierre happened, and I cancelled my membership. Now I wouldn't cross the street to piss in your face if you were on fire.

delisen

(7,419 posts)
4. Did ICe Killers scan Alex's face and already know all about him?
Sun Jan 25, 2026, 11:59 AM
Jan 2026

Would they have known he had a legal concealed carry permit and that he was also not a threat.?

Gaugamela

(3,572 posts)
16. Excellent questions. How did the one agent know to look for the gun? Why did he immediately
Sun Jan 25, 2026, 12:42 PM
Jan 2026

run clear of the scuffle as soon as he had it? Why does he look around to see who might be watching instead of turning toward the gunfire, which he seems to be expecting? Why do the others start firing the moment the gun is seized?

paleotn

(22,651 posts)
23. You're assuming they're that organized and that intelligent. Chances lean strongly towards no.
Sun Jan 25, 2026, 12:56 PM
Jan 2026

Ferryboat

(1,268 posts)
5. This regime is hoping and praying that some useful idiot
Sun Jan 25, 2026, 12:05 PM
Jan 2026

Last edited Sun Jan 25, 2026, 01:14 PM - Edit history (1)

gives them what they need to escalate.
We need to have discipline, do not give them what need.

No visible firearms if you feel the need to carry. Bad idea, don't do it. I understand the desire, myself I'm a strong proponent of the 2A. But it is a really bad idea.

Throw no bricks, only insults and snowballs. I like the idea of water balloons.

Document any encounter, gather the receipts. Useful to counter the 'official narrative'.

Any other suggestions?

thinkingagain

(1,353 posts)
13. I agree don't give them reasons to escalate
Sun Jan 25, 2026, 12:30 PM
Jan 2026

That being said this guy did not, other than trying to help others.
If he had a gun it was concealed. Never once displayed.
Water balloons - with dye mark the vests with color.
Before you go out make a statement of your intent.
That could get posted if something happens to you.
( arrested, detained or worse)
Statement such as
“I am a peaceful law abiding citizen, I am exercising my amendment rights to participate in a peaceful protest.
I have no plans to cause any problems,
I will possibly film and record what is going on around me. “
I am sure it could be worded better.

Bengus81

(10,349 posts)
40. Yeah...but it takes nothing to "escalate" those fuckers. Look cross eyed at them and they
Sun Jan 25, 2026, 01:31 PM
Jan 2026

spray chemicals in your face. This shit is straight out of the Viet Nam protests on how to gin up peaceful protesters into a riot.

thinkingagain

(1,353 posts)
54. Agreed
Sun Jan 25, 2026, 02:45 PM
Jan 2026

Best we can do is continue to be as peaceful as we possibly can
And believe our own eyes and ears

TBF

(37,121 posts)
17. Yes, I've seen that argument on Bluesky - they have their Palantir database
Sun Jan 25, 2026, 12:45 PM
Jan 2026

it absolutely could've been a "hit" so to speak.

MayReasonRule

(4,137 posts)
18. Historically, Strategic Surreptitious Strike Strategies Play A Major Role Against Overwhelming Force
Sun Jan 25, 2026, 12:52 PM
Jan 2026




What we do in the shadows is at least as what we do in the streets.

hay rick

(9,707 posts)
19. The discipline you describe is not possible.
Sun Jan 25, 2026, 12:54 PM
Jan 2026

I assume there will be incidents, probably multiple incidents- sooner rather than later.

My belief about these murders:
The important part is getting away with them and getting some people to accept and repeat the lies of justification. Those who do not buy the lies will see that there is no legal recourse and either get discouraged or get radicalized. What would a third ICE murder in Minneapolis or Maine this week look like? Would the outrage be diminished?

If there is a retaliatory murder in the near future, troops may or may not be sent in. If they are not sent in the administration will call it a demonstration of restraint- but the murders will continue. I think they don't want to send troops in at this time because they are not really ready and they want to do something closer to the November elections. Interfering with those elections is surely the administration's most important tactical objective this year.

paleotn

(22,651 posts)
32. And fail in their mission. It's is and always will be about public perception.
Sun Jan 25, 2026, 01:02 PM
Jan 2026

They're losing that battle badly. Particularly with this latest incident. In fact, it gives Dems the political heft and cover to strip ICEhole funding from the new appropriations bill OR shut down the government. Who's responsible for shutting down the government you may ask? Well, the regime loaded it with extra funding for a group that's murdering US citizens on the street. We ain't voting for that!! See how that plays? Not to good for Donnie Dumbass and his band of goons.

paleotn

(22,651 posts)
38. That is where you're wrong. They do. They have to.
Sun Jan 25, 2026, 01:28 PM
Jan 2026

That's what makes governments work in the west. To a great degree everywhere. Even Putin worries about his perception among the Russian populace. But that's particularly true in a nation with no history thus no genetic memory of authoritarianism.

The only thing holding this regime in power is R's perception that Trump controls their base of voters and they can't win primaries without that. When they discover they can push back hard on Trump and still win, or that not doing so means they lose the general, Trump is doomed. That calculus is based on how many "bridges too far" this regime is taking. Quite a few of late. Even THINKING about actually canceling 2026 elections and it's game over. They'll impeach and convict his ass with votes to spare.

One of several reasons he dropped the whole Greenland thing when some here thought invasion was a done deal. There are limits and much of that is based on the perceptions of the people.

AllyCat

(18,983 posts)
37. Agree that they don't care about public perception and Dems?
Sun Jan 25, 2026, 01:14 PM
Jan 2026

That old saying: Snatching defeat from the jaws of victory.

paleotn

(22,651 posts)
39. Then why is Donnie so in a twist about opinion polls?
Sun Jan 25, 2026, 01:29 PM
Jan 2026
You give these people far more power than they actually have. That's defeatist. Stop it.

AllyCat

(18,983 posts)
43. And yet, 7 democrats just handed ICE thugs another $10B
Sun Jan 25, 2026, 01:50 PM
Jan 2026

To keep killing and abducting people.

That’s pretty damn defeatist.

paleotn

(22,651 posts)
44. Seen what's happened in the Senate on that legislation?
Sun Jan 25, 2026, 01:55 PM
Jan 2026

And I'm not talking about Dem congress critters. I'm talking about your statement. Don't run for cover.

AllyCat

(18,983 posts)
56. I've seen their overall actions so far.
Sun Jan 25, 2026, 04:15 PM
Jan 2026

Congress is not coming to save us.

Have a nice day.

paleotn

(22,651 posts)
26. And it's a miracle no one has.
Sun Jan 25, 2026, 12:58 PM
Jan 2026

I get white hot with anger but cooler heads like yours must prevail.

COL Mustard

(8,378 posts)
27. Leave the guns at home. Full stop.
Sun Jan 25, 2026, 12:58 PM
Jan 2026

Don't throw ANYTHING. Evan a water balloon, or an egg, or a rotten tomato can be considered assault.

Do all the peaceful protesting you want, but for Pete's sake, stay nonviolent even in the face of their aggression.

Bengus81

(10,349 posts)
41. Then they'll claim that a protester being ONLY twenty five feet away was impeding an arrest
Sun Jan 25, 2026, 01:34 PM
Jan 2026

There will always be a reason to keep the shit flying--just like Trump has ORDERED them to do.

Klarkashton

(5,397 posts)
52. The pigs fire all kinds of shit at protesters that aren't doing a goddamn thing.
Sun Jan 25, 2026, 02:28 PM
Jan 2026

A judge told them to stop it in Minnesota and the bastards appealed it.

It makes no difference if you are peaceful or not.

artemisia1

(1,900 posts)
6. Don't RW nutriders open carry at their demonstrations? They truly are schizophrenic (in the split-mind sense) not an
Sun Jan 25, 2026, 12:09 PM
Jan 2026

attack on those with the actual illness. RW'ers schizophrenia is one of character.

Kid Berwyn

(25,021 posts)
11. That makes what they did premeditated.
Sun Jan 25, 2026, 12:25 PM
Jan 2026

They had no reason to shoot anyone yesterday. The federal government of the United States turned their murder of a legally armed protester into an opportunity for NAZI Gnome to say brave ICE were only protecting themselves from an armed man who attacked them.

That is NAZI.

RoseTrellis

(204 posts)
12. Need to be extra cautious
Sun Jan 25, 2026, 12:29 PM
Jan 2026

If you choose to carry at these protests, which is your right, you really need to be extra cautious to not present yourself as a threat to LE. Really no different than informing the cops responsibly if you get pulled over.
Don’t give them an excuse to execute them - resisting arrest can be fatal

Kid Berwyn

(25,021 posts)
10. Police then escorted that killer to safety across state lines.
Sun Jan 25, 2026, 12:19 PM
Jan 2026

Who knows what today would be like had the little NAZI murderer and his enablers been held to account.

WokeAintWhatIAm

(34 posts)
25. How soon the fools forget...
Sun Jan 25, 2026, 12:58 PM
Jan 2026
https://apnews.com/article/virus-outbreak-donald-trump-michigan-gretchen-whitmer-gun-politics-8aff3b8db0c03a80946e054d602f70fe

LANSING, Mich. (AP) — Among the armed protesters who rallied at the Michigan Capitol against Gov. Gretchen Whitmer’s coronavirus lockdown this past spring were some of the men now accused in stunning plots to kidnap her, storm the Capitol and start a “civil war.”

October 10, 2020

Initech

(109,226 posts)
30. The assholes have been convincing us for 4 decades now that 2A is absolute.
Sun Jan 25, 2026, 01:01 PM
Jan 2026

Now they're telling us that it comes with an asterisk if you use it against the most tyrannical government in US history? They can go fuck all of the way off.

allegorical oracle

(6,569 posts)
74. As I recall, guns were all over DC on Jan. 6, 2021, including the one that Ashley Babbitt
Mon Jan 26, 2026, 10:57 AM
Jan 2026

was brandishing at the door into where members of Congress were hiding for their lives. She's now a martyr mourned by djt, himself. "Laws for thee but not for me."

sop

(19,234 posts)
35. Exactly. These mask-wearing imbeciles were protesting Covid-19 mask mandates and shutdowns.
Sun Jan 25, 2026, 01:10 PM
Jan 2026

BidenRocks

(3,473 posts)
45. A little rain and their Levis will chafe and wear them down.
Sun Jan 25, 2026, 02:00 PM
Jan 2026

I noticed they are all so fucking brave while standing before street clothes wearing soft targets.

Take on ICE big talk! Or stfu!

mzmolly

(52,853 posts)
50. There was no protest. There were people outside in an area
Sun Jan 25, 2026, 02:09 PM
Jan 2026

that has multiple restaurants and other eateries.

I hate this admin.

underpants

(197,106 posts)
51. Thank you. They tried to establish that yesterday and of course the media went right along.
Sun Jan 25, 2026, 02:26 PM
Jan 2026

usonian

(26,534 posts)
55. Wilhoit's Law
Sun Jan 25, 2026, 02:52 PM
Jan 2026

Frank Wilhoit: “Conservatism consists of exactly one proposition …There must be in-groups whom the law protects but does not bind, alongside out-groups whom the law binds but does not protect.” This seems increasingly true.

dlk

(13,324 posts)
58. Many of our "freedoms" are merely illusions
Sun Jan 25, 2026, 05:40 PM
Jan 2026

The execution of Alex Pretty was a traumatic reminder.

FormerOstrich

(2,895 posts)
60. From the hill top....
Sun Jan 25, 2026, 06:45 PM
Jan 2026

They are trying to take your GUNS away. They are trying to take away your right to carry.

Again....loudly. And Again, louder.

you get the picture I'm sure....messaging baby....messaging

gulliver

(14,063 posts)
61. This is not a good comparison.
Sun Jan 25, 2026, 07:06 PM
Jan 2026

I realize it is intended to highlight hypocrisy, but, as I've said before, in these times, hypocrisy means absolutely nothing. Relying on people feeling "shamed" when they are called out as hypocrites, no matter how legitimately, is futile. That kind of foul call only works at lower social temperatures than we're in.

The Rittenhouse comparison is apt, but I don't see how that puts Pretti in a good light. Personally, I think they're both irresponsible idiots, Rittenhouse being the bigger idiot of the two. Rittenhouse displayed his gun, and that provoked the end result. Unacceptable as it was for Pretti to be carrying a concealed weapon at a peaceful protest, legally or not, he didn't display it.

My read of what happened is that Pretti's decision to carry the weapon made him very vulnerable to random misfortune in a situation where random misfortune (due to the inherent chaos of reality) was more likely to occur. He's far less culpable than Rittenhouse.

Jack Valentino

(5,242 posts)
68. Apparently the moron MISSED the protest inside the Michigan Capital Building in 2020,
Sun Jan 25, 2026, 09:03 PM
Jan 2026

when gun-toting open-carrying anti-vaxxers basically took over the building----

but luckily no one was shot, and the Capital Police didn't interpret this
as an opportunity to "take someone down".....

oh wait, he said you can't take loaded guns to 'ANY sort of protest that you want'----

clearly they mean that you can take loaded guns to RIGHT-wing protests,
but NOT to left-wing or DECENT-wing protests!!!!!!

Got it.

Initech

(109,226 posts)
69. These fucking scumbags cheer on murderers and psychopaths every time.
Sun Jan 25, 2026, 09:06 PM
Jan 2026

Hell, they decided that a classroom full of murdered children was just an excuse to take away guns.

hadEnuf

(3,655 posts)
70. The NRA has only ever given a shit about right-wing Republican gun rights.
Sun Jan 25, 2026, 09:46 PM
Jan 2026

All American's gun rights? No way.

You may also notice that the Republicans & MAGAs constantly refer to Democrats or others who do not support their Reich as "un-American" this and "un-American" that. Always "un-American".

So why would the NRA protect gun rights for people who are not "Americans"?

See where this is going?














'










'

Martin68

(28,057 posts)
72. The Republican double standard is too obvious to ignore. Legally armed Democrats will be killed.
Mon Jan 26, 2026, 12:38 AM
Jan 2026

Aussie105

(8,154 posts)
73. 1791.
Mon Jan 26, 2026, 10:05 AM
Jan 2026

The second amendment was written.

In 1791, the firearms landscape was dominated by smoothbore muzzle-loading weapons, primarily flintlock muskets, pistols, and fowling pieces.

So, to be totally accurate, only those weapons are legal.
And should only be in the hands of a well regulated militia.
And only be used in protecting the security of a free state.

The second amendment doesn't mention licensing of gun ownership, open and concealed carry, or when carrying a licenced firearm in public can get you killed.

Mmmm . . . I must be missing something there.
Must go back and read that second amendment again!
It must be there, I mean no one would distort the Constitution like that, would they?

Latest Discussions»General Discussion»"You cannot bring a firea...