After federal agents shot and killed a Minneapolis man allegedly carrying a concealed weapon, gun rights groups countered a federal narrative that his firearm likely justified deadly force.
The big picture: The right to publicly carry weapons is a centerpiece of Second Amendment advocacy and has emerged as a key issue in the shooting of 37-year-old ICU nurse Alex Pretti.
- The Minneapolis police chief said Pretti had a permit to carry, and videos show him holding a cell phone, not his gun, before officers wrestled him to the ground.
Between the lines: Bill Essayli, Los Angeles' top federal prosecutor and a Trump ally, received fierce blowback from gun-rights groups over his Saturday claim that there is a "high likelihood" law enforcement will be "legally justified" in shooting someone who approaches them with a gun.
- The National Rifle Association responded on X that this sentiment was "dangerous and wrong."
- Gun Owners of America condemned Essayli's statement, writing that the Second Amendment "protects Americans' right to bear arms while protesting—a right the federal government must not infringe upon."
- Essayli claimed that condemnation "mischaracterize[d]" his statement.
What they're saying: FBI director Kash Patel told Fox News' Maria Bartiromo on Sunday, "No one who wants to be peaceful shows up at a protest with a firearm that is loaded with two full magazines."
- He continued, "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 that right to break the law and incite violence."
- Gregory Bovino, a top Border Patrol official, said on CNN's "State of the Union" Sunday that he supports protesting with firearms, but not when "you perpetrate violence, obstruct, delay or obfuscate Border Patrol." He did not provide evidence that Pretti was there to perpetrate violence.
Catch up quick: DHS swiftly alleged in a statement that Pretti had approached U.S. Border Patrol officers with a handgun and claimed he appeared to be trying to "massacre law enforcement."
- Videos from the scene appear to show Pretti holding a cell phone, not his gun, before he is wrestled to the ground by officers.
- There is no current footage that shows him "brandishing," as Noem claimed.
Zoom out: The Minnesota Gun Owners Caucus demanded a "full and transparent investigation" and noted "there has been no evidence produced indicating an intent to harm the officers."
- The group warned: "Every peaceable Minnesotan has the right to keep and bear arms—including while attending protests, acting as observers, or exercising their First Amendment rights. These rights do not disappear when someone is lawfully armed, and they must be respected and protected at all times."
- The NRA, which condemned "radical progressive politicians" in a previous statement, said "responsible public voices should be awaiting a full investigation, not making generalizations and demonizing law-abiding citizens."
Editor's note: This story was updated with additional comments.
