Minnesota Attorney General Keith Ellison previously took the position that Americans do not have a Second Amendment right to carry firearms at political protests, a stance that is now drawing renewed attention after the fatal shooting of Alex Pretti in Minneapolis. Timing, as they say, is everything.
Ellison joined 16 other attorneys general from Democrat-led states in an amicus brief filed with the Ninth Circuit Court of Appeals in January 2024. In that filing, the coalition argued that states should be allowed to ban firearms at political rallies and protests because such events can attract violence. The group also claimed that guns at demonstrations could intimidate participants and discourage people from freely expressing their views.
That legal argument came under scrutiny Saturday when Border Patrol agents shot and killed Pretti during an immigration enforcement operation in Minneapolis. Pretti, a 37-year-old intensive care nurse, held a valid permit to carry and had no criminal record, according to Minneapolis Police Chief Brian O’Hara.
In response, the Minnesota Gun Owners Caucus described the shooting as “deeply concerning,” emphasizing that lawful gun ownership does not vanish when someone shows up to a protest.
“Every peaceable Minnesotan has the right to keep and bear arms—including while attending protests, acting as observers, or exercising their First Amendment rights,” the organization said. “These rights do not disappear when someone is lawfully armed.” Apparently, the Constitution still applies outdoors.
Rob Doar of the Minnesota Gun Owners Law Center echoed that view in comments to FOX 9.
“If he had a permit to carry, it’s not unlawful to be carrying while you’re exercising your First Amendment right,” Doar said. “You don’t have to pick between which rights you exercise.” He also noted that video footage appears to show agents had already removed Pretti’s firearm before shots were fired.
Despite his earlier position on gun rights at protests, Ellison has since filed a lawsuit aimed at preserving evidence in the shooting. He labeled the federal presence in Minnesota an “illegal and unconstitutional occupation” and called for a full investigation into Pretti’s death.
The situation highlights a growing contradiction between Democrat legal arguments and real-world consequences. While Ellison once argued that firearms at protests should be banned, the facts of this case involve a man who was lawfully armed and legally permitted to carry.
At the end of the day, Americans should not have to choose between their First Amendment rights and their Second Amendment rights. Upholding both is not only possible—it is essential. With clear laws, lawful carry, and respect for constitutional freedoms, the country can protect both public safety and individual liberty while continuing to move forward with strength and confidence.
