Left-Leaning Gun Groups See Surge in Membership Following Minneapolis Shooting and Federal Enforcement Actions

Left-leaning gun advocacy groups across the country say they are experiencing a dramatic increase in membership and firearms training requests following the killing of Alex Pretti by federal agents in Minneapolis.

Organizations such as the Liberal Gun Club and Pink Pistols Twin Cities report sold-out classes and expanded schedules as more liberals, LGBTQ individuals, women, and people of color seek gun education and permits. Some groups say enrollment has jumped from just a handful of participants per class to more than two dozen.

Advocates say concerns about safety, immigration enforcement, and perceived government overreach are motivating many first-time gun owners. Alex Pretti, an ICU nurse and outdoorsman, was legally carrying a firearm when he was disarmed and fatally shot by federal agents — a case that has intensified debate across political lines.

Jordan Levine, founder of A Better Way 2A, says his network has seen a surge of new partner groups joining its resource platform, while National African American Gun Association President Philip Smith says membership has grown since the start of Donald Trump’s second term.

Political scientists note that gun purchases often rise during periods of fear or political uncertainty. Matt Lacombe, author of “Firepower: How the NRA Turned Gun Owners into a Political Force,” says gun ownership is no longer viewed strictly as a conservative response to perceived threats, pointing to emerging trends among progressive communities.

Some armed community members have begun appearing at vigils, protests, and neighborhood patrols, citing the need to protect themselves and others. The administration has defended federal actions, with White House press secretary Karoline Leavitt stating that while Americans have a constitutional right to bear arms, they do not have the right to interfere with immigration enforcement.

The situation has also revived comparisons to past incidents, including the 2016 killing of Philando Castile during a traffic stop, which sparked national outrage over race, policing, and gun rights.

Experts say the current moment reflects growing distrust in institutions and widening divisions over who is afforded Second Amendment protections. For many new gun owners on the left, the shift is less about ideology and more about personal safety in an increasingly tense political climate.

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