LOS ANGELES — WeHo-based firearms enthusiast Dave Simpson recently saw a drastic uptick in popularity amongst his left-of-center friends, confirmed sources who just wanted to know what a handgun felt like in their pants.
“It’s funny, for years I’ve felt like I was kind of an outsider in my friend group,” said the 35-year-old, self-identified anarchist. “When I’d point out that it’s kinda hard to push restrictions on something you know nothing about, so most gun control laws are at best an annoyance, and don’t actually stop anyone from getting a gun, I was often met with phrases like ‘Blue No Matter Who!’ and ‘Pokemon Go-to-the-Polls!’ But for some reason, since around the start of the year, I’ve been invited to more brunches than I’d previously been to in my entire life. I can’t believe how many eggs benedict I’ve eaten. Finally, my knowledge of assault rifles is paying off in West Hollywood.”
While some might be skeptical of Simpson’s claims, those within his friend group have also noticed the shift and openly admit something has changed for them.
“I’ve always thought Dave was cool, but work/life balance stuff is hard, so we barely hung out. However, in 2025, starting randomly around January 20th or so, I just really wanted to make sure I was being intentional with my time,” said casual friend and registered Democrat Haley Abebe. “Dave has always liked guns, so if I’m gonna be a good friend, I should care about his interests. And if in the process of holding space for Dave and his hobbies, I learn firearm safety, target acquisition, small unit tactics, room-clearing, team movement, small demolitions, vehicle sabotage, counter-custody, and the basics of urban guerrilla warfare, that’s just the cost of having a healthy friendship.”
Anais Jameson, a New York Times journalist who specializes in the rise and fall of trends in popular culture, says Simpson’s sudden popularity within his friend group is not an anomaly.
“This sort of thing is happening all around the country,” said Jameson. “It is almost as if there was some sort of cultural shift at the start of this year or something. Our new polling shows that people with ‘Nevertheless She Persisted’ bumper stickers have been hanging out with people with ‘No Gods, No Masters’ and ‘Self-Defense Is Self-Care’ bumper stickers at the highest rates ever recorded. It’s truly fascinating.”
At press time, Simpson, Abebe, and their friend group were seen having a “Love Island” watch-party while also discussing workarounds for the California assault weapons ban.