NRA and other US gun activists push back at Trump officials over Minneapolis shooting

January 25, 2026

The National Rifle Association and other gun rights organizations are demanding a comprehensive investigation after a border agent fatally shot Alex Pretti, a registered nurse at a Veterans Affairs hospital, during an immigration enforcement operation in Minneapolis. The shooting has sparked controversy due to conflicting accounts from federal officials, who claim Pretti posed a threat with a firearm, and state officials who dispute this narrative, with no video evidence showing Pretti holding a weapon. The incident escalated tensions when a federal prosecutor suggested that approaching law enforcement while armed could justify lethal force, prompting widespread backlash from gun advocacy groups and politicians who argue this violates Second Amendment rights.

Who is affected

Alex Pretti (the victim, a registered nurse at a Veterans Affairs hospital)
Border agents and ICE officers involved in the shooting
Minneapolis residents and protesters
Gun owners and Second Amendment advocates
Federal and state law enforcement agencies
The National Rifle Association and Gun Owners of America

What action is being taken

The NRA and other gun lobby groups are calling for a full investigation into the shooting
Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) is conducting a crackdown on illegal immigration in Minneapolis
Federal and state officials are providing (conflicting) accounts of the incident

Why it matters

This incident highlights the tension between Second Amendment rights and law enforcement use of force, particularly during federal immigration operations. The conflicting narratives from federal and state officials undermine public trust and raise questions about accountability and transparency. The controversy is especially significant because it has created an unusual split between the typically Trump-aligned NRA and the Trump administration, while also raising concerns about whether lawfully carrying firearms could be treated as justification for lethal force by federal agents.

What's next

No explicit next steps stated in the article

Read full article from source: BBC