Gun rights organisations, including the National Rifle Association and Gun Owners of America, have publicly rebuked Donald Trump and his administration over their handling of the fatal shooting of Alex Pretti, a nurse killed by US border patrol officers in Minneapolis. The rare criticism signals a rift between the president and his traditionally loyal allies among pro-gun groups.
The shooting occurred on Saturday, when border patrol officers shot Pretti, 37. Administration officials quickly suggested that Pretti's possession of a firearm and extra ammunition indicated intent to harm law enforcement. Homeland Security Secretary Kristi Noem claimed he sought to 'inflict maximum damage,' while FBI Director Kash Patel falsely stated that carrying a gun to a protest is illegal. US Attorney Bill Essayli argued that approaching law enforcement with a gun justifies being shot.
In response, the NRA stated: 'Responsible public voices should be awaiting a full investigation, not making generalizations and demonizing law-abiding citizens.' Gun Owners of America called for a 'complete, transparent, and prompt investigation.' Bryan Strawser of the Minnesota Gun Owners Caucus described Essayli's comments as 'completely out of line and inappropriate,' criticising the federal government's 'misleading' messaging.
President Trump weighed in on Monday, saying: 'I don't like that [Pretti] had a gun, I don't like that he had two fully loaded magazines, that's a lot of bad stuff.' This contradicted the gun groups' stance that carrying a firearm is a lawful right under the Second Amendment. In Minnesota, carrying openly or concealed with a permit—which Pretti held—is legal, and protests are not designated off-limits.
The gun groups argue that the administration's rhetoric wrongly equates lawful gun ownership with violent intent, and they reaffirmed support for law enforcement while insisting on a full investigation. The incident has exposed rare tensions between the White House and a key constituency that has long backed Trump.
