The National Rifle Association (NRA) issued a strong statement defending the right to carry firearms after President Donald Trump reaffirmed his comments that Pretti, the VA nurse fatally shot by federal agents in Minneapolis, should not have been armed. (According to police, Pretti, 37, was a lawful gun owner with a carry permit, and video from the incident does not show him holding the weapon during the encounter.)
“The NRA unequivocally believes that all law-abiding citizens have a right to keep and bear arms anywhere they have a legal right to be,” the NRA stated on Tuesday night.
That day, while visiting an Iowa restaurant, Trump was questioned by a reporter about whether he agreed with administration officials who had labeled Pretti a “domestic terrorist.” Trump replied: “I haven’t heard that, but he certainly shouldn’t have been carrying a gun.”
He described Pretti’s death as a “very unfortunate incident,” and repeated: “I don’t like that he had a gun. I don’t like that he had two fully loaded magazines. That’s a lot of bad stuff. And despite that, I’d say that’s… very unfortunate.”
Trump had also addressed Pretti’s handgun earlier when leaving the White House. In short comments to reporters, he said: “You know, you can’t have guns. You can’t walk in with guns. You just can’t.”
The disagreement between the NRA and Trump, who have historically been allies, was quickly noted by the President’s political opponents.
“Trump’s lost the NRA,” said Democratic California Gov. Gavin Newsom in reaction to the gun rights group’s evening statement. The Democratic Party’s official social media account also weighed in, posting a clip of Trump’s remarks with the caption: “GOP President: You can’t have guns.”
Trump’s recent comments on guns have caused significant worry among his Republican supporters, most of whom are strong defenders of the Second Amendment.
The Department of Homeland Security has placed considerable emphasis on the registered handgun Pretti was carrying in his waistband, even publicizing an image of the weapon soon after he was killed.
Other officials in the Trump Administration have also criticized Pretti for possessing a handgun.
FBI Director Kash Patel, echoing sentiments expressed by Homeland Security Secretary Kristi Noem, stated: “No one who wants to be peaceful shows up at a protest with a firearm that is loaded with two full magazines. That is not a peaceful protest.”
The National Association for Gun Rights responded to Patel’s comments. “Carrying an extra magazine implies nothing,” the group argued. “Claiming otherwise sets a dangerous precedent for Second Amendment rights and creates an easy backdoor argument for magazine bans and similar legislation.”
Noem has faced widespread criticism for her handling of both Pretti’s killing and the death of Renee Good, another 37-year-old American citizen who was shot and killed by federal agents in Minneapolis on Jan. 7 during Trump’s immigration crackdown.
Regarding Pretti, Noem stated he “approached Border Patrol officers with a 9mm semi-automatic handgun” and “reacted violently” when they tried to take the weapon. Paralleling comments from Homeland Security adviser Stephen Miller, she accused Pretti of carrying out “the definition of domestic terrorism.”
Minneapolis Police Chief Brian O’Hara told the press: “I don’t have any evidence that I’ve seen that suggests the weapon was brandished.” Video of Pretti’s final moments depicts him being sprayed with a substance and forced to the ground by federal agents.
Pointing to serious concerns about immigration enforcement in Minneapolis and inconsistencies between the DHS’s official account of the weekend events and the widely circulated video evidence, Democrats are demanding action.
House Minority Leader Hakeem Jeffries told Trump on Tuesday to dismiss Noem “immediately” or face Democratic efforts to “initiate impeachment proceedings” against her.
Some Republican lawmakers have also supported calls for Noem’s resignation, with Senators Lisa Murkowski of Alaska and Thom Tillis of North Carolina urging her to step down.
