How the shooting of Alex Pretti in Minneapolis ignited a fierce showdown between America’s gun lobby and the White House

DCM Editorial Summary: This story has been independently rewritten and summarised for DCM readers to highlight key developments relevant to the region. Original reporting by The Conversation, click this post to read the original article.

In a deeply controversial incident, U.S. immigration agents reportedly killed a licensed gun owner, Alex Pretti, in Minnesota, sparking national outcry. If you’ve been following the debate around immigration enforcement, civil liberties, and gun rights, this case will likely stand out. Video footage appears to show Pretti, a 37-year-old nurse, being tackled, beaten, and disarmed by Customs and Border Protection (CBP) and Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) agents before they shot him ten times. Significantly, Pretti wasn’t attempting to use or even reach for his legally holstered firearm, which he had a proper license to carry under Minnesota law.

What makes this situation more explosive is the rare united criticism from both liberal leaders like former Presidents Obama and Clinton, and powerful conservative bodies like the National Rifle Association (NRA). You might find it surprising to see such opposition coming from both sides of the political spectrum. The Trump administration’s defense—that Pretti posed a threat simply by having a gun—quickly drew fire from gun rights groups, who argue that carrying a weapon legally should not justify deadly force. Even typically loyal Trump-aligned organizations like the NRA warned against demonizing law-abiding gun owners before the facts are fully known.

The uproar illustrates a deeper issue you should be aware of: the erosion of trust in federal agencies not only among liberals but also among conservative, pro-Second Amendment Americans. The killing of someone seen as exercising their constitutional rights is being viewed by many as an example of government overreach—precisely the kind of scenario gun rights advocates claim the Second Amendment was designed to protect against. For many in these communities, the death of Pretti marks a turning point, pushing them to speak out against actions they’ve previously ignored.

You’re also seeing rising concern about the country’s political divide and increasing arms ownership across ideological lines. Gun ownership isn’t just a conservative issue anymore; more progressive groups, fearing violence or government repression, are also starting to arm themselves. As these tensions grow, Pretti’s death serves as a chilling reminder of what’s at stake when political fear meets armed confrontation. It’s a moment that many hope forces the country to step back and reconsider the path it’s on.