Investigation Called for After Armed Man Shot by Federal Agents
Gun rights advocates are demanding an investigation and a more measured response following the fatal shooting of a legally armed man during an immigration operation in Minneapolis.
The National Rifle Association (NRA) posted a message on X, criticizing “radical, progressive politicians” like Tim Walz for allegedly inciting violence against law enforcement officials. They suggested that calls for police intervention “ended in violence that tragically resulted in injuries and deaths.”
The NRA urged politicians to “lower temperatures to ensure the safety of voters and law enforcement officials.”
Various firearms rights organizations expressed their condemnation of the shooting incident. Assistant U.S. Attorney Bill Esseri stated on X that approaching police while armed carries a “high probability that a shooting will be legally justified.”
If you approach law enforcement with a gun, there is a good chance that a shooting will be legally justified.
Please stop! https://t.co/DNpyew6PMh
— FA U.S. Attorney Bill Essayli (@USAttyEssayli) January 24, 2026
The NRA responded to Esseri’s comments, labeling them as “dangerous and wrong.” They emphasized that the voices of responsible citizens should not be overshadowed during the ongoing investigation, reiterating that law-abiding individuals should not be generalized or demonized.
Gun Owners of America (GOA) also weighed in, stating that it is “very unlikely” that the shooting of a concealed carry permit holder would be legally justified. They further argued that the Second Amendment supports individuals carrying arms during protests.
The Second Amendment Foundation echoed the call for an investigation. Kostas Moros, the group’s director of legal research and education, commented that the notion of lawful proximity to officers justifying deadly force is “an affront to the Second Amendment rights of all Americans.”
The Minnesota Gun Owners Congress (MGOC) expressed significant concern over the shooting and called for a thorough inquiry by both state and federal authorities. They noted that there was no indication that the man, who had no criminal history and held a valid carry permit, intended to harm the officers.
According to reports from Fox News, the deceased, identified as 37-year-old Alex Jeffrey Preti, approached officers with a 9mm handgun and allegedly “violently resisted” when they attempted to disarm him. The Department of Homeland Security (DHS) is leading the investigation with the FBI’s assistance.
MGOC asserted that Second Amendment rights extend to legal gun owners even during protests. “These rights do not disappear just because someone is legally armed and must be respected and protected at all times,” they stated.
