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

Latest Breaking News

Showing Original Post only (View all)

ificandream

(11,815 posts)
Sun Feb 1, 2026, 02:51 PM Feb 1

Leftist and liberal gun groups are seeing a rush of new members [View all]

Source: CNN

By Harmeet Kaur

Several niche, left-leaning gun advocacy groups said that since the killing of Alex Pretti by federal agents in Minneapolis, they can hardly keep up with the surging demand for firearms training.

With President Donald Trump sending armed federal agents into communities around the country, even more once gun-shy liberals and leftists are considering getting armed. And while Americans tend to think of gun owners as leaning more Republican and male, already more women, gay people and people of color have taken up arms in recent years, particularly after 2020.

Weekend classes at L.A. Progressive Shooters are sold out through March. Registrations for permit-to-carry courses at Pink Pistols Twin Cities, which serves LGBTQ people in Minneapolis and St. Paul, are up from an average of five people per class to 25 — the group recently added seven more courses to accommodate increased interest, and those are filling up, too. To paraphrase a recent meme: The right is arguing for gun control, and the left is buying guns.

“In the past couple of days, there has been a shift,” Lara Smith, national spokesperson for the Liberal Gun Club, says. “This changed views on the left.”

Read more: https://www.cnn.com/2026/02/01/us/gun-rights-politics-alex-pretti-killing-cec



This is falling right into Trump's hands. This is exactly what he wants so he has an excuse to order his ICE goons to shoot and kill more people. He won't be happy until there's blood in every American city.



People light candles at a makeshift memorial for Alex Pretti, who was shot and killed by federal agents in Minneapolis on January 24. Octavio Jones/AFP/Getty Images
38 replies = new reply since forum marked as read
Highlight: NoneDon't highlight anything 5 newestHighlight 5 most recent replies
What if these "left-leaning gun rights activists" are buying guns to protect their homes from ICE because in2herbs Feb 1 #1
"NOT GUILTY" for the occupants, after ICE agents get themselves shot while breaking into those homes.... Jack Valentino Feb 1 #15
Liberals also have guns. Republicans also have abortions. Norrrm Feb 1 #2
You know what, he's going to do it anyway. tonekat Feb 1 #3
Sorry liberalgunwilltravel Feb 1 #5
I am reminded more and more of the Frederick Douglas quote about the fugitive slave act: Jack Valentino Feb 1 #16
My exact sentiments! Wuddles440 Feb 2 #38
Big difference Bayard Feb 1 #4
Yeah, but they can't shoot more than two of them at once, Jack Valentino Feb 1 #17
I find this very sad. Not that people are buying guns and learning how to use them. flashman13 Feb 1 #6
The only time I ever fired a gun moonscape Feb 1 #9
You are a very wise person. Stay safe my friend. flashman13 Feb 1 #10
They were RIGHT--- that is, CORRECT--- that the 2nd Amendment could be a defense against Jack Valentino Feb 1 #18
In the gun culture they believe that the Second Amendment is the holy grail of the Constitution. flashman13 Feb 2 #32
This right here orangecrush Feb 1 #7
Too small a caliber---- if you choose to employ DEADLY FORCE for self-defense, Jack Valentino Feb 1 #19
It's really funny orangecrush Feb 1 #21
You may be quite correct--- and as I stated a .22 can be quite lethal--- Jack Valentino Feb 1 #23
I see your point orangecrush Feb 1 #25
That gun was 'standard issue' for almost 100 years..... for US Armed forces.... Jack Valentino Feb 2 #28
If it ain't broke... orangecrush Feb 2 #31
Yep, first sidearm I carried in Vietnam, along with my M-14, and later, my M-16. nt MarineCombatEngineer Feb 2 #37
So Trump will leave us alone if we don't have guns? hadEnuf Feb 1 #8
So you claim that this is falling right into Trumpedos's hands? MarineCombatEngineer Feb 1 #11
I 100% agree with you , MCE. AZ8theist Feb 2 #33
For those interested, this is a great gun club for Liberals/Progressives: MarineCombatEngineer Feb 1 #12
My best friend lives in Tempe AZ, and we often discussed the gun laws there.... Jack Valentino Feb 1 #24
in July of 2010, AZ became a constitutional carry state, however to conceal carry in other states MarineCombatEngineer Feb 2 #36
I've had guns for years. Grew up with them. Got my CC permit as soon as my state allowed it. Seeking Serenity Feb 1 #13
That is the issue at times. OldBaldy1701E Feb 2 #35
A population arming itself more so than before . . . Aussie105 Feb 1 #14
The United States of America only had ONE "civil war" previously--- Jack Valentino Feb 2 #29
"...feel the need to violently protect themselves from fellow Americans." J_William_Ryan Feb 1 #20
"a hypothetical future tyrannical government" J_William_Ryan Feb 1 #22
You here quoted ME here, possibly replying to the wrong person... Jack Valentino Feb 2 #30
Karma JBTaurus83 Feb 1 #26
But...but...but the Reich-wingers said they have "all the guns???" Grins Feb 2 #27
Their burbling about 'Fighting Tyranny' was always bullshit RetiredParatrooper Feb 2 #34
Latest Discussions»Latest Breaking News»Leftist and liberal gun g...