NRA and pro-gun groups call for 'full investigation' into killing of Alex Pretti

[Wicked Blue]

Source: The Guardian

The National Rifle Association (NRA) has joined other gun lobbying and advocacy groups that are typically aligned with Donald Trump in calling for the Republican president’s administration to conduct a “full investigation” into the killing of Alex Pretti, the 37-year-old nurse who was shot dead by federal immigration officials in Minneapolis on Saturday.

Pretti was reportedly legally permitted to carry a gun and is a citizen of the US, where it is a constitutional right to bear arms. Widely circulated video of his shooting death does not depict Pretti ever holding a gun. It does show an officer reaching to Petti’s lower back and stepping away with what appeared to be a pistol – and Petti being subsequently shot to death.

The NRA waded into the national dialogue over Pretti’s killing after Bill Essayli – who was appointed by Trump to temporarily serve as a US attorney in California in 2025 – posted on social media: “If you approach law enforcement with a gun, there is a high likelihood they will be legally justified in shooting you.”

In response, the NRA posted: “This sentiment … is dangerous and wrong. Responsible public voices should be awaiting a full investigation, not making generalizations and demonizing law-abiding citizens.”

Read more: https://www.theguardian.com/us-news/2026/jan/25/alex-pretti-killing-nra-pro-gun-groups

[Soul_of_Wit]

1. The NRA assumes there will be an investigation

I have my doubts. Fascist regimes do not investigate. They justify and gaslight.

[Attilatheblond]

2. Too late for any real, trustworthy investigation. ICE/Noem/Bondi already botched any chance via evidence handling

[Earth Bound Misfit]

3. Let's not go & throw any parades for the NRA just yet...

Link to tweet

[groundloop]

4. Exactly, they're simply looking out for the interests of manufacturers of these deadly weapons.

[delisen]

5. The NRA told the GOVERNOR Of A State he should have no role in law enforcement

I guess that statement was not as popular with gun owners as they thought it would be.

[muriel_volestrangler]

6. Yeah, that reads like the first stage of a cover-up, not a "full investigation"

It starts by putting all the blame on named political enemies of the NRA, despite Walz not being involved, and lying that he "incites violence". It talks about "law enforcement officers" (the problem here is these officers are breaking the law, in all kinds of ways) "simply trying to do their jobs" ("I was only obeying orders" is no excuse or defence). Note the passive "have ended in violence", without noting the violence was committed by the federal authorities.

Then we use the weasel-word (OK, phrase) "officer-involved shooting", as if it's unclear who shot, and who was killed. "There will be a robust and comprehensive investigation" - this is not a call for an independent investigation, just an assumption that there will be a "comprehensive" one. They talk about whether "force" (this was not just "force" - "force" was the federal officer pushing the woman to the ground. This was "lethal force", ie killing was justified). They again blame "political voices", rather than the federal organisation that just killed someone.

This is just a careful restatement of the Trump position, with moderate language rather than unhinged accusations.

[patphil]

7. The NRA is only getting concerned because the murdered man was carrying a legal concealed weapon.

Tell me, what did they have to say about the murder of Renee Good?

[stopdiggin]

8. I'll take this ... IF true.

I have serious doubts about any kind of sustained stance or message (with ANY kind of criticism for LE, or methods ..) from the NRA ... Time will tell. But - not holding my breath.

[twodogsbarking]

9. Where I grew up they would call this "fuckin' bullshit".

[orangecrush]

10. Icesickles in hell

[NH Ethylene]

11. I'm really glad they are standing up for this.

If concealed carry is legal, nobody should be shot for carrying a gun.

[quakerboy]

12. They are not

The NRA are trying to put a face of supporting their members on, but the bottom line was, is, and will be supporting the republican party.

[intheflow]

17. But for many NRA members, this is a real conundrum.

2A is their baby. They brought weapons to January 6th. They have concealed carry permits. They’re armed when they just step out for milk and toilet paper. So for their hero and his regime to suddenly start ranting about not bringing a gun to a protest… I mean, it’s the most explicit fear they have, the government taking their guns and executing them for exercising their 2A rights. They’re armed when NRA is CYAing, but it’s also possible that some in the org are actually paying attention, finally.

[quakerboy]

18. if the nra actually listened too or cared about its members

That would be more relevant.

But their funding and loyalties lie elsewhere. They will do what they can to avoid that becoming obvious but at the end of the day, thats not their top priority anymore

[IcyPeas]

13. Fuck Bill Essayli too

The resident trump/bondi appointed nazi... even the NRA had to correct him.

[hadEnuf]

14. The NRA only cares about MAGA and Republican's guns.

They could care less about the 2A for the rest of us. They will stand by and watch Trump disarm us. Then we are just sport for the fascists.

Sound familiar? 1933?

[travelingthrulife]

20. Yet , it is always the autocrat that takes their guns.

[Martin68]

15. Well, at least they are sticking to principles. I accept any help to force ICE to stand down.

[jmowreader]

16. I can see why they're pissed

The 2d Amendment absolutists, to a person, believe that the cure for tyranny is for everyone to be armed.

It doesn't look so good for them when the employees of the president they love more than life itself tackled a legally-armed person, disarmed him and shot him to death.

[travelingthrulife]

19. Protecting the 'precious, holy gun.'