Republicans divided on Pretti’s shootingpublished at 00:06 GMT
00:06 GMT
Sakshi Venkatraman
US reporter
The killing of Alex Pretti is not only sparking outrage on the left – but it’s also dividing member’s of the president’s own party.
Some Republicans in Trump’s base are sounding the alarm on Pretti’s shooting by federal agents, saying it’s an example of the state infringing on an Americans’ right to bear arms.
The second amendment – or right to own firearms – has been a core issue for Republicans for decades.
“I unapologetically believe in border security and deporting criminal illegal aliens and I support law enforcement.
However, I also unapologetically support the 2nd amendment.
Legally carrying a firearm is not the same as brandishing a firearm,” said former Congresswoman Marjorie Taylor Greene, who used to be one of Trump’s most ardent supporters before splitting with him last year.
Remember: US Homeland Security Secretary Kristi Noem says Pretti was shot because he was “brandishing” a gun. Local authorities say the gun was legally registered, he was not brandishing it, and he was shot after the gun was removed.
Republican Congressman Thomas Massie echoed that sentiment.
“Carrying a firearm is not a death sentence, it’s a Constitutionally protected God-given right, and if you don’t understand this you have no business in law enforcement or government,” he wrote.
The National Rifle Association (NRA), a gun right lobbying group, spoke out against one US attorney’s characterisation that if someone approaches a federal agent with a gun, they will likely be shot.
“This sentiment from the First Assistant US Attorney for the Central District of California is dangerous and wrong,” the NRA wrote on social media. “Responsible public voices should be awaiting a full investigation, not making generalizations and demonizing law-abiding citizens.”