Gun-Rights Groups Condemn Trump Officials After Minnesota Shooting, Demand Answers

Leading gun-rights organizations have sharply criticized senior Trump administration officials after federal immigration agents shot and killed Alex Pretti during a protest in Minnesota, objecting to comments that blamed Pretti for carrying a legally permitted handgun.

Fast-Moving Backlash From Gun Groups

Multiple national gun-rights groups and a prominent Minnesota organization said they were appalled by administration statements that appeared to fault Pretti for being armed. Dudley Brown, president of the National Association for Gun Rights, told POLITICO:

"The FBI director needs to brush off that thing called the Constitution, because he clearly hasn't read it. I know of no more crucial place to carry a firearm for self defense than a protest."

Officials' Comments Draw Fire

FBI Director Kash Patel told Fox News:

"You cannot bring a firearm, loaded, with multiple magazines to any sort of protest that you want. It's that simple. You don't have a right to break the law."

Department of Homeland Security Secretary Kristi Noem said she did not "know of any peaceful protester that shows up with a gun and ammunition rather than a sign." White House press secretary Karoline Leavitt added that "any gun owner knows" carrying a weapon raises "the assumption of risk and the risk of force being used against you" in encounters with law enforcement.

Controversial Remarks From A Federal Prosecutor

Critics were particularly alarmed by a post on X from Bill Essayli, the acting U.S. attorney for the Central District of California, who wrote:

"If you approach law enforcement with a gun, there is a high likelihood they will be legally justified in shooting you."

The National Rifle Association called Essayli's remarks "dangerous and wrong" and urged a full investigation instead of what it described as "generalizations and demonizing law-abiding citizens." Aidan Johnston of Gun Owners of America called the remarks "absolutely unacceptable."

Video Raises Questions About What Happened

There remain conflicting accounts about the moments before Pretti was shot, including whether his hand was ever near his firearm. Video verified and analyzed by outlets including The New York Times shows the object Pretti initially appeared to hold was a phone he was using to film the scene before moving toward a woman who had been pushed to the ground by Border Patrol agents. A Washington Post review of footage indicates federal agents appear to have secured Pretti's gun shortly before an agent fired, killing the 37-year-old ICU nurse and U.S. citizen.

Political Fallout And Calls For Investigation

The incident provoked a partisan reaction. California Gov. Gavin Newsom — who became a gun owner last year — tweeted that the administration "does not believe in the 2nd Amendment." Democrats such as Rep. Dave Min and former Rep. Mary Peltola also criticized officials' comments and emphasized that lawful carry is not grounds for lethal force. Some gun-rights advocates said the episode might prompt broader public recognition of the importance of carrying rights, while others warned against politicizing the tragedy.

Jacob Wendler contributed to this report.