""One. It's a constitutional right. Two. It's legal under the laws of the state of Minnesota," Thune said. "Perhaps he didn't have ID, but with that exception, he was in compliance with the laws. He has a constitutional right.""
""You can't have guns. You can't walk in with guns," President Trump told reporters on Tuesday in response to questions about the fatal shooting in Minnesota."
""I don't like the fact that he was carrying a gun that was fully loaded," Trump told Fox News later Tuesday."
""I'd also like to remind federal leaders that words matter," Sen. Ted Budd (R-N.C.) wrote on X on Tuesday. "Americans have a constitutional right to bear arms, and the mere possession of a firearm does not represent a threat justifying lethal force.""
Pretti carried a firearm that complied with Minnesota law, though he may have lacked identification. Homeland Security officials cited his firearm possession to defend immigration enforcement actions. The administration's rationale created tension with gun rights advocates and some Republicans who emphasized that mere possession of a firearm does not justify lethal force. Several GOP lawmakers invoked Second Amendment protections and called for a fair process for Pretti's family. The incident raised concerns about federal rhetoric, potential departures from conservative principles on gun rights, and the implications of equating lawful possession with imminent threat.
Read at Axios
Unable to calculate read time
Collection
[
|
...
]