NRA Makes Rare Statement Against Trump Admin Over Alex Pretti Shooting

[mystery-ak]

NRA Makes Rare Statement Against Trump Admin Over Alex Pretti Shooting

Published

Jan 25, 2026 at 06:16 AM EST
By Jordan King and Daniel Orton


The National Rifle Association (NRA) criticized comments by a senior federal prosecutor warning that approaching law enforcement with a gun could justify a fatal police response, saying such statements risk "demonizing law‑abiding citizens" as the nation reels from the killing of a man in Minneapolis by a U.S. border agent.

The NRA was responding to remarks by Bill Essayli, the first assistant U.S. attorney for the Central District of California, who said that "if you approach law enforcement with a gun, there is a high likelihood they will be legally justified in shooting you," adding, "Don’t do it." In a statement, the gun‑rights group called that view "dangerous and wrong," urging public officials to refrain from broad generalizations and to wait for the outcome of a full investigation into Alex Pretti’s death.

Newsweek has contacted Essayli and the NRA, via email outside of normal working hours, for comment.

Why It Matters

The comments highlight tensions between prominent gun-rights advocates and federal officials over when armed presence in public meets legal thresholds for deadly force.

It comes after 37-year-old Alex Jeffrey Pretti was shot and killed by federal immigration officers on Saturday in Minneapolis.

This is the second fatal shooting involving federal officers in the city within weeks—37-year-old Renee Nicole Good was killed by an Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) officer Jonathan Ross on January 7. There have been widespread daily protests in the Twin Cities since.

What To Know

Essayli had shared a post from the DHS about Saturday’s shooting with the caption: "If you approach law enforcement with a gun, there is a high likelihood they will be legally justified in shooting you. Don’t do it!"

The NRA responded: "This sentiment from the First Assistant U.S. Attorney for the Central District of California is dangerous and wrong. Responsible public voices should be awaiting a full investigation, not making generalizations and demonizing law-abiding citizens."

https://twitter.com/NRA/status/2015227627464728661

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https://www.newsweek.com/nra-makes-rare-statement-against-trump-admin-over-alex-pretti-shooting-11321317

[libertybele]

 

[Smokin Joe]

IIRC, Minnesota law requires someone carrying concealed to have a permit, have that permit and official ID on their person while they are carrying.

Accounts from the shooting scene stated that he had no ID on him, therefore, he wasn't legal.

While a spare magazine or two isn't excessive (many people carry one or two), and hollow points are capable defensive rounds, imparting more energy to the target than a simple full metal jacket (and usually doing more extensive tissue damage), what does not make sense is the idea of someone carrying concealed legally, interjecting themselves into a law enforcement operation in a disruptive way.

Most CCW licensees tend to avoid conflict in order to avoid having to shoot someone, and initiating conflict negates the self-defense aspect.

 I'll wait for the results of the investigation before I decide.

[mountaineer]

Most CCW licensees tend to avoid conflict in order to avoid having to shoot someone, and initiating conflict negates the self-defense aspect.

I wonder what type of training is required in MN for someone to obtain a CCW license. We had to take an NRA gun safety course, and then the sheriff did a background check. We've since taken additional training in the responsible use of firearms. I do not believe this guy exhibited responsible firearm ownership.

I'll wait for the results of the investigation before I decide.

Ditto. None of us keyboard kommandos can say definitively that he was shot "just for trying to help a woman!!" or that he shot first, or just about anything else. We weren't there, and the video we may have seen isn't all that clear cut.