ICE Operations in Minneapolis Push Progressives to Obtain Guns

The increase in US Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) operations in large Democratic-leaning urban centers is causing a sharp increase in the number of gun owners in the progressive sector, historically distant from demands linked to the conservative agenda.

In Minneapolis, where the federal government sent around three thousand agents to detain immigrants, dealers and shooting instructors report a significant increase in demand for weapons handling courses and guidance on licensing. The growth in demand intensified after episodes of violence that occurred during recent operations, including the death of two American citizens, Renee Good and Alex Pretti, which increased the feeling of insecurity among residents.

Businesspeople in the security sector claim that the profile of the interested public has changed. People who previously rejected gun ownership began to seek training as a form of self-protection, motivated both by the fear of confrontations with federal agents and by the perception of instability in the streets. In some establishments, the number of people interested in basic classes quadrupled in the weeks following the disturbances in the city.

The phenomenon is not limited to Minneapolis. Similar reports emerge in other cities governed by Democrats, which have become the focus of immigration raids. Instructors and store owners note the growing presence of women and members of the LGBTQIA+ community, groups that have traditionally been among the most critical of the spread of firearms in the country.

General data helps to size the context. Estimates indicate that around a third of the North American population owns firearms, totaling approximately 500 million units in circulation. Although this universe has always been associated mainly with men and Republican voters, the recent diversification of the buyer profile suggests changes in perceptions about personal security.

Cases such as that of nurse Alex Pretti, killed by federal agents during an operation, also fuel the debate. Pretti had a license to carry a weapon and, according to reports, he never used it. Even so, the fact of being armed was cited by authorities as a central element to justify the action, which provoked intense reactions both among government critics and traditional defenders of the right to carry.