The National Rifle Association is pushing back against comments from a senior federal prosecutor who warned that approaching law enforcement while armed could legally end with an officer using deadly force. The gun-rights group argues that such statements risk painting lawful gun owners as threats—especially as Minneapolis faces growing outrage after a U.S. border agent fatally shot a man during a weekend operation.
The NRA was responding to remarks by Bill Essayli, the first assistant U.S. attorney for the Central District of California, who wrote that “if you approach law enforcement with a gun, there is a high likelihood they will be legally justified in shooting you,” followed by: “Don’t do it.”
In its reply, the NRA called the message “dangerous and wrong,” saying public officials should avoid sweeping claims and wait for the results of a full investigation into the death of Alex Pretti. The group also accused “radical progressive politicians like Tim Walz” of fueling hostility toward officers and escalating confrontations.
Why It Matters
The clash underscores a widening argument between gun-rights groups and federal officials over where the line is drawn between lawful public gun possession and behavior that officers can reasonably view as a deadly threat—especially during chaotic protests and enforcement actions.
The dispute follows the death of 37-year-old Alex Jeffrey Pretti, who was shot and killed by federal immigration officers on Saturday in Minneapolis. It was the second fatal shooting involving federal officers in the city in recent weeks: 37-year-old Renee Nicole Good was killed by an Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) officer, identified as Jonathan Ross, on January 7. Protests have continued across the Twin Cities since then.
What To Know
Essayli shared a Department of Homeland Security post about Saturday’s shooting and added: “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 that the statement was irresponsible at a moment when the facts are still being gathered, arguing that broad warnings like this can “demoniz[e] law-abiding citizens.”
Gun Owners of America also criticized Essayli’s message, saying it “condemn[s) the untoward comments,” and adding: “The Second Amendment protects Americans’ right to bear arms while protesting—a right the federal government must not infringe upon.”
Essayli fired back, saying the group was twisting his words.
“I never said it’s legally justified to shoot law-abiding concealed carriers,” he said. “My comment addressed agitators approaching law enforcement with a gun and refusing to disarm.”
He reiterated his warning in sharper terms: “My advice stands: If you value your life, do not aggressively approach law enforcement while armed… If they reasonably perceive a threat and you fail to immediately disarm, they are legally permitted to use deadly force.”
In a statement, Department of Homeland Security spokesperson Tricia McLaughlin said federal officers were carrying out an operation tied to the Trump administration’s immigration crackdown when they fired “defensive shots” after a man with a handgun approached them and “violently resisted” when officers attempted to disarm him. Federal officials said the officer who shot Pretti is an eight-year Border Patrol veteran.
An AP bystander video from Nicollet Avenue captured a tense confrontation as protesters shouted and blew whistles at agents. The footage shows an officer shoving a person in a brown jacket; a scuffle follows as more officers converge. One officer appears to pin the man while another strikes him in the chest. As officers try to pull the man’s arms behind his back, he appears to resist. Another officer with a canister strikes near the man’s head multiple times.
A gunshot is heard, though the video does not make clear who fired. Officers step back, additional shots follow, and the man is left motionless in the street.
What Happens Next
Public scrutiny and protests around federal immigration enforcement in Minneapolis have continued after two fatal shootings involving federal officers.
Minnesota officials have said the state will lead the investigation into Pretti’s death, though disputes over jurisdiction with federal authorities remain unresolved.
