Trump Says “You Can’t Walk in With Guns” After Federal Agents Shot Legal Gun Owner
President Donald Trump’s controversial remark that “you can’t walk in with guns” came amid intense national scrutiny over the death of Alex Pretti, a legally armed Minneapolis resident fatally shot by federal immigration agents.
On January 24, 2026, Pretti, a 37-year-old intensive care nurse and licensed concealed-carry gun owner, was shot multiple times by U.S. Border Patrol agents during an ICE enforcement operation in south Minneapolis. Bystander video reviewed by media shows Pretti holding a phone just before agents pepper-sprayed and tackled him; the firearm was later seen removed from the struggle but it is unclear whether Pretti brandished it. Officials say he approached agents with a handgun, while video and witness accounts suggest otherwise.
The killing ignited widespread protests and political backlash. Minneapolis and Minnesota officials demanded accountability and independent investigation, while some federal agents involved have been reassigned out of the city.
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On January 27, Trump addressed reporters on the White House lawn about the incident and Second Amendment concerns, saying, “With that being said, you can’t have guns. You can’t walk in with guns… you just can’t. You can’t walk in with guns… But it’s just a very unfortunate incident.”
The exchange has amplified debate over the federal response to protests and constitutional rights, with gun rights advocates saying the president’s comments risk alienating core supporters and civil liberties groups questioning federal use of force.
Nationwide protests and political pressure are expected to continue as investigations proceed and lawmakers press for answers about both the shooting and the policy backdrop that led to it.
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