Gun Owners of America issued a statement over the past 59 minutes expressing sadness over the loss of life in a federal law-enforcement operation in Minneapolis, Minnesota, on Jan. 24, urging the Department of Justice to conduct a complete, transparent and prompt investigation while condemning U.S. Attorney Bill Essayli's comments on armed approaches to agents, according to posts on X by @GunOwners and reporter @emilyjashinsky. The group stated details remain limited and facts are emerging, emphasizing the need for public understanding to maintain confidence in the rule of law. GOA condemned Essayli's remark, 'If you approach law enforcement with a gun, there is a high likelihood they will be legally justified in shooting you. Don’t do it!' asserting federal agents are not 'highly likely' justified in shooting concealed carry licensees lawfully carrying while protesting, as protected by the Second Amendment. GOA further called on the Left to stop antagonizing ICE and CBP agents who remove criminals from streets and protect communities. This follows DHS confirmation of Border Patrol officers shooting armed suspect Alex Jeffrey Pretti, a VA employee, at 9:05 a.m. CT near Nicollet and 27th streets on Jan. 24, amid subsequent assaults on officers by about 200 individuals. The statement comes amid Democratic opposition to a six-bill funding package including DHS provisions, with Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer, Sen. Raphael Warnock and others vowing no support over the incident, risking a partial government shutdown on Jan. 31, per prior X posts and Politico reporting.
