GOA Condemns Trump Official's Shooting Claims

Gun Owners of America just did something you don't see every day — they called out a Trump administration official for claiming federal agents were "legally justified" in shooting a concealed carry holder.

U.S. Attorney Bill Essayli posted on X that "if you approach law enforcement with a gun, there is a high likelihood they will be legally justified in shooting you." Problem is, video shows Alex Jeffrey Pretti approached ICE agents with his phone in hand to record them, not a weapon.

The carry question: This puts Second Amendment groups in direct conflict with Trump officials over whether your concealed carry permit makes you a legitimate target for federal agents.

Pretti had a valid Minnesota concealed carry permit. ICE agents tackled him, removed his gun, then shot him nine times while he was pinned face-down. The Department of Homeland Security later called it "self-defense."

What they're saying: Gun rights groups aren't buying the administration's line.

"The Second Amendment protects Americans' right to bear arms while protesting—a right the federal government must not infringe upon." -- Gun Owners of America statement

GOA called Essayli's statement "untoward" and pushed back hard on the idea that federal agents get a free pass to shoot concealed carry licensees. The NRA? Radio silence, despite social media pressure to weigh in.

Reality check: Trump repealed Biden's "zero tolerance" gun dealer oversight in April. He cut $811 million in violence intervention grants and moved ATF agents to immigration work. He even halted gun violence research funding before legal challenges forced him to restore it. You've got an administration that talks Second Amendment while expanding federal law enforcement powers — and now gun groups are seeing where that leads.

• GOA's pushback marks their first public break with the Trump administration over enforcement tactics
• The incident raises real questions about your rights when carrying around federal agents during immigration raids

The legal question: Minnesota law explicitly allows concealed carry with proper permits, which Pretti had. Federal agents can't arrest you just for lawful firearm possession. But the Trump administration has expanded immigration enforcement powers and given agents more discretion — and nobody's clear on whether you need to disclose when carrying near federal agents.

What to watch:

• Even GOA — which backed Trump — sees Essayli's comments as dangerous precedent
• Concealed carry holders might face more scrutiny during federal operations
• GOA called for a complete DOJ investigation; their two million members represent serious GOP firepower that could pressure Trump on enforcement tactics — if he's listening

Go deeper:

• Gun Owners of America statement on Minneapolis shooting
• Trump's first-year gun policy changes
• ATF enforcement under Trump administration