The fatal shooting of Alex Pretti has sparked an unprecedented rift between the Trump administration and its traditionally loyal pro-gun base. Firearms instructors and major gun rights organizations are condemning federal officials for “demonizing” legal concealed carry and mischaracterizing the Second Amendment rights of protesters.

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WEST ALLIS, WI (2-minute read) — The fatal shooting of 37-year-old ICU nurse Alex Pretti by federal agents has done more than just ignite protests in Minneapolis: it has set off a firestorm within the American gun-owning community. From local Wisconsin instructors to national 2A organizations, the consensus is growing: the federal government’s rhetoric following Pretti’s death is being viewed as a direct assault on the right to bear arms.

The tension reached a breaking point following comments from DHS Secretary Kristi Noem and FBI Director Kash Patel, who suggested that carrying a firearm and spare ammunition to a protest was inherently non-peaceful or illegal. President Trump further fueled the divide on January 27, stating, “You can’t walk in with guns”. For many in the firearms community, these statements are seen as a “backstab” from an administration that has long campaigned as the ultimate defender of the Second Amendment.

The Demonization of Defensive Carry

Firearms instructors, including Rob Pincus and Eddie Silas, have publicly challenged the administration’s claims. They point out that Pretti, a licensed concealed carry holder, was following standard safety practices by carrying a spare magazine; a detail Secretary Noem used to imply he was planning a “massacre”. “It is criminal that [the] administration are demonizing and mischaracterizing defensive firearm ownership,” Pincus stated.

Gun rights activists like Nik Clark of Wisconsin Carry are now labeling top GOP officials as “country club gun owners” who rely on armed security while questioning the rights of average citizens to protect themselves. The backlash is rooted in a history of perceived flip-flops, ranging from the bump stock ban to the President’s 2018 suggestion to “take the guns first, go through due process second”.

Safety Tip: The Alex Pretti case highlights a harsh reality for concealed carry holders: in a high-tension environment, the mere presence of a firearm can be used by authorities to shift the narrative of an encounter. If you choose to carry at a public demonstration, your “retention” and “concealment” must be flawless. Any movement that could be misinterpreted as reaching for a weapon can lead to a tragic outcome. Furthermore, always be aware of the “spare magazine myth” in the media; while carrying extra ammunition is a standard safety practice for malfunctions, it is often portrayed as “aggressive intent” in the aftermath of a shooting.