In a plot twist that has 2A advocates doing a double-take, the political left—long the vanguard of gun control zealotry—is suddenly waving the red, white, and blue flag of self-defense rights. Dave Workman’s sharp reporting spotlights the fatal shooting of Alex Pretti, a concealed carrier gunned down amid the chaos of an anti-ICE protest in Aurora, Colorado. What makes this seismic? Gun control outfits like Giffords and Everytown, who typically demonize permit holders as loose cannons, are now staunchly defending Pretti’s legal right to carry. No calls for stripping concealed carry permits or demonizing the Second Amendment here—just measured statements affirming that self-defense is a fundamental liberty, even for someone clashing with federal agents. It’s as if the universe tilted on its axis overnight.

Dig deeper, and this isn’t just hypocrisy; it’s a masterclass in selective principle. Pretti, a vocal leftist with a history of activism, fits the narrative mold of a good guy with a gun when it suits the story—armed against perceived oppressors like ICE. Contrast this with the left’s usual playbook: Kyle Rittenhouse, painted as a vigilante murderer despite self-defense acquittal; or the Aurora theater shooter, whose mental health red flags were ignored in favor of universal gun bans. Workman’s piece exposes the fault lines: when the victim aligns ideologically, suddenly shall not be infringed gets a progressive glow-up. Gun controllers are threading the needle, arguing Pretti’s permit was valid without endorsing broader carry rights—a tactical retreat that reeks of opportunism.

For the 2A community, this is gold. It underscores a truth we’ve long hammered: rights aren’t partisan property. Hypocrisy like this erodes the left’s moral high ground, potentially peeling off moderates who see the inconsistency. Expect memes, viral clips, and talking points to flood conservative media, chipping away at the gun lobby vs. safety false dichotomy. The implication? Keep the pressure on—highlight these flip-flops relentlessly. If the left can pivot this fast, imagine the groundswell when everyday Americans grasp that self-defense transcends politics. Tectonic indeed; the ground under anti-2A crusaders just got a whole lot shakier.