Welcome to DU! The truly grassroots left-of-center political community where regular people, not algorithms, drive the discussions and set the standards. Join the community: Create a free account Support DU (and get rid of ads!): Become a Star Member Latest Breaking News Editorials & Other Articles General Discussion The DU Lounge All Forums Issue Forums Culture Forums Alliance Forums Region Forums Support Forums Help & Search

BumRushDaShow

(166,699 posts)
Tue Jan 27, 2026, 12:16 PM Tuesday

Kash Patel Clarifies Position on Gun Rights After Backlash

Source: Newsweek

Published Jan 27, 2026 at 06:57 AM EST updated Jan 27, 2026 at 06:58 AM EST


Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) Director Kash Patel said the bureau "fully" supports the Second Amendment but urged armed Americans to avoid bringing loaded weapons to volatile protests, after gun-rights groups accused the administration of blaming a lawful gun owner killed by a federal officer in Minneapolis.

"We truly, fully support the Second Amendment—people's right to bear arms," he said, adding that in situations like the current unrest in Minnesota "we have to ask people what's prudential, what's smart." "And it's not smart to go out there with a fully loaded weapon," Patel told Fox News’ Sean Hannity. "We're just saying be careful and be reasonable."

It comes after several gun rights groups criticized his previous comments following the fatal shooting of Alex Pretti—a lawful gun owner with a permit to carry—by a federal agent, at a protest in Minneapolis on Saturday. Newsweek has contacted the FBI, via email outside of normal working hours, for comment on Patel’s behalf.

Why it Matters

The scrutiny over Patel’s remarks highlight how the Second Amendment’s protection of gun ownership has emerged as a key issue in the shooting of Pretti. Trump’s administration has often stood by gun rights groups’ defense of the right to openly carry firearms in public. But gun rights groups, including the National Association for Gun Rights (NAGR), have said that Patel’s rhetoric around guns amid the shooting "sets a dangerous precedent for Second Amendment rights."

Read more: https://www.newsweek.com/kash-patel-gun-rights-backlash-second-amendment-pretti-11421751

12 replies = new reply since forum marked as read
Highlight: NoneDon't highlight anything 5 newestHighlight 5 most recent replies
Kash Patel Clarifies Position on Gun Rights After Backlash (Original Post) BumRushDaShow Tuesday OP
And all it took was for government agents killing a white man legally carrying a gun. Ray Bruns Tuesday #1
A. That's not full 2A dogma. B. Hannity's so stupid he doesn't realize he could be taking about the ICE goons underpants Tuesday #2
Sean Hannity? Moostache Tuesday #4
It Doesn't Sound Any Different From What He Was Saying Over The Weekend. ruet Tuesday #3
IOOIYAR Moostache Tuesday #5
See also: search for images of "Bundy Bunkerville Standoff" SeattleVet Tuesday #6
Up yours..... SergeStorms Tuesday #7
Situation made volatile by government thugs. Old Crank Tuesday #8
Prudential? OhioTim Tuesday #9
It is a word too IcyPeas Tuesday #12
So, what is he saying? Americanme Tuesday #10
Funny, no comments like that when Kyle Rittenhouse was at protests TBF Tuesday #11

underpants

(195,392 posts)
2. A. That's not full 2A dogma. B. Hannity's so stupid he doesn't realize he could be taking about the ICE goons
Tue Jan 27, 2026, 12:33 PM
Tuesday

Hannity told Patel he was pro-Second Amendment, "but with that comes a big responsibility."

He added: "If I knew I was on camera and I could get away from a confrontation knowing that I had the ability to defend myself, I would turn and hightail it and run rather than ever have to pull out a weapon.

"If you have a weapon do you belong in an environment that is contentious as this weekend, do you bear responsibility knowing that you have a firearm with you?"

Moostache

(11,064 posts)
4. Sean Hannity?
Tue Jan 27, 2026, 01:08 PM
Tuesday

1) Fuck that guy.
2) Bundy?
3) Rittenhouse?

For #2 and #3 Sean, your worthless cunt ass was glazing their balls for all you could suck when those fucker were ACTUALLY brandishing weapons on camera.

For the rest of time though, fuck you Sean. You are disgusting and you harm the nation as a whole with your bullshit and hypocrisy.

SeattleVet

(5,854 posts)
6. See also: search for images of "Bundy Bunkerville Standoff"
Tue Jan 27, 2026, 01:14 PM
Tuesday

Pointing weapons at the feds without consequences, as long as you are a 'conservative'.

https://www.instagram.com/p/DT_PKV1EqaB/?img_index=1

(You can step through the 9 captioned images using the right pointing arrow at the edge of the image.)

SergeStorms

(20,130 posts)
7. Up yours.....
Tue Jan 27, 2026, 01:26 PM
Tuesday

you sawed-off little creep. Not a peep out of your smarmy little mouth when right-wing gun-nuts do it, but.when someone on the left carries protection from your fascist thugs you want them to leave that protection home?

You helped create this situation, you mewling, slimy sycophant. FUCK YOU!

Old Crank

(6,734 posts)
8. Situation made volatile by government thugs.
Tue Jan 27, 2026, 02:30 PM
Tuesday

I thought an armed society was a polite society.

They all wanted guns every where. Went to court to try to get guns every where.
Now they don't want guns every where but it is a little late.

IcyPeas

(25,036 posts)
12. It is a word too
Tue Jan 27, 2026, 05:38 PM
Tuesday

prudential
adjective
pru·​den·​tial prü-ˈden(t)-shəl
1
: of, relating to, or proceeding from prudence
2
: exercising prudence especially in business matters
prudentially
PRUDENTIAL Definition & Meaning - Merriam-Webster https://share.google/JEd896ykSCKtFhQuq

Americanme

(416 posts)
10. So, what is he saying?
Tue Jan 27, 2026, 04:43 PM
Tuesday

That we should take our guns to safe locations, like McDonald's or Starbucks, leave them at home if we are going to protest DHS, who has already killed people? He has no idea what he is saying, has he? What an unqualified, uneducated, inexperienced hack. Perfect fit for this administration.

TBF

(35,904 posts)
11. Funny, no comments like that when Kyle Rittenhouse was at protests
Tue Jan 27, 2026, 05:23 PM
Tuesday

What do they really mean? Republicans are allowed to own & carry guns, but democrats aren't.

Patel is a hack.

Latest Discussions»Latest Breaking News»Kash Patel Clarifies Posi...