Trump Appointee Threatens to Arrest 'Law-Abiding' Gun Owners
By: Anna Commander (Newsweek)
Now the Trump administration is talking about confiscating guns.
S E E D E D C O N T E N T
U.S. Attorney for the District of Columbia Jeanine Ferris Pirro, an appointee of President Donald Trump, threatened to arrest law-abiding gun owners, as violent crime in the nation's capital has decreased.
Newsweek reached out to the National Rifle Association (NRA) via email on Monday night for comment.
Why It Matters
Pirro's stance highlights a divide over how far to push gun restrictions in the nation's capital, where local law requires registration of firearms and limits certain semiautomatic rifles, even as the Trump administration has simultaneously challenged D.C.'s gun regulations.
Pirro's statement also comes after the fatal shooting of 37-year-olds Alex Pretti and Renee Good by immigration agents last month. Videos of the incident show Pretti had a gun—which he was legally allowed to carry and an officer removed from the scene of the clash—according to the Associated Press (AP).
What To Know
"You bring a gun into this district, count on going to jail, and hope you get the gun back." Pirro said on Fox News Monday in part, adding, "I don't care if you have a license in another district and I don't care if you're a law-abiding gun owner somewhere else."
D.C. law requires firearm owners to register their weapons with local police and bars residents from registering certain semiautomatic rifles, effectively preventing civilian ownership of those models in the district, Axios reports.
In August 2025, Pirro directed federal prosecutors not to seek felony charges for people carrying registered rifles or shotguns in D.C., with exceptions for permit‑holders and cases involving violent crimes, citing guidance tied to Supreme Court rulings on the Second Amendment, per the AP.
In December 2025, the Department of Justice sued D.C., arguing the district's prohibition on registering AR‑15 and other semiautomatic rifles violates the Second Amendment, escalating a long‑running dispute between federal officials and the district over gun policy, the AP adds.
Trump also activated hundreds of National Guard members last year in D.C. in an effort to combat crime and "beautify" the nation's capital.
After Pretti's killing, FBI Director Kash Patel suggested Pretti should not have been carrying a firearm, a position that prompted resistance from influential gun‑rights groups and some GOP lawmakers.
"You cannot bring a firearm, loaded, with multiple magazines to any sort of protest that you want. It's that simple. You don't have that right to break the law and incite violence," Patel said during an interview on Fox News last month.
What People Are Saying
Florida Republican Congressman Greg Steube, on X Monday: "I bring a gun into the district every week, @USAttyPirro. I have a license in Florida and DC to carry. And I will continue to carry to protect myself and others. Come and Take it!"
Former Republican Congressman Adam Kinzinger, also on X Monday: "Dang they turned against the 2A faster than I've seen before"
X account Patriot Takes, on Monday: "Jeanine Pirro is going to arrest Lauren Boebert?"
Rapid Response 47, on X Monday: ".@USAttyPirro: 'We are solving more homicide cases than we ever have in [D.C.] and the Mayor now is seeing what this combined resource allocation is doing... it's all about focus, partnership, and being serious.'"
Trump, on Truth Social last month in part after Pretti's killing: "This is the gunman's gun, loaded (with two additional full magazines!), and ready to go - What is that all about? Where are the local Police? Why weren't they allowed to protect ICE Officers? The Mayor and the Governor called them off? It is stated that many of these Police were not allowed to do their job, that ICE had to protect themselves — Not an easy thing to do!"
What Happens Next
Broader Republican messaging on gun rights is expected to continue evolving in a contentious point of debate as congressional leaders and advocacy groups respond to the Pretti case.
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The NAZIs didn't ban private ownership of firearms. The NAZIs didn't confiscate guns.
So, now the Trump administration is worse than NAZIs.
they did for Jews:
Strange, none of what you said here is true. [✘] Is everything okay?
The NAZIs did not ban private ownership of firearms. The NAZIs banned Jews. Let that sink in.
It was Joseph Stalin who banned private ownership of firearms to protect his political power. Stalin banned whatever was a threat to his agenda. Stalin's megalomania and Trump's megalomania are very similar.
Still wondering what your point is since it hasn’t happened in the US either but report away.[✘]
Wait! You mean Obama and Biden didn't come for your guns????
Whatever are the Proud Boys, the Oathkeepers, the Three Percenters going to do?
Fealty to DJT will grant you an exemption.
Let me get this straight. DC has some of the strictest gun laws in the country. Is the left now against stricter gun laws?
Fascism 101: Control the media, disarm the public.
You mean like we saw under the last administration as they censored the media and continually called for banning firearms? Or did you forget about that?
Apples and oranges...
True, since they are both fruits, it’s the same. Exactly the same.
Way to be purposefully ignorant.
More empirical evidence that I’m spot on. Thx!
I’d explain it to you but you’re not capable of getting it.
I'm sorry, I thought we were talking about the current administration.
More Introjection, less Projection and you’ll go far in this world. I promise.
lol, if you only knew.
Lol
The previous admin is always fair game when justifiable criticism of the current admin is launched
Only in the fact you supported one administration that actually did it and don't support the administration you are fabricating accusations about it happening.
What's wrong? Did facts hit a nerve?
The least you could do it be factual about it. The previous administration DID censor the people and continually call for banning firearms. The current administration has only done that in your imagination.
You have no proof of your statement. So I am just going to call your comment bullshit and be on my merry way
See 5.1. You should really pay closer attention.
It was never Obama coming after your guns, not Hillary, not Biden, not Kamala.
After the J6 riots and Trump getting re-elected it was always going to be Trump going after MAGA and gun rights.
That riot proved just how far his devotees were willing to go, they brought weapons, used flag poles, used all kinds of improvised weapons, they set off smoke bombs, and remember Trump himself told his security to turn off the metal detectors so he knew many were armed with weapons.
Once he used them and still lost, he pardoned them. But Trump also knew he had to lock down DC with the National Guard and a military parade which was a warning to MAGA more than anyone else.
He is now attacking gun rights because he is afraid and he isn't afraid of protesters no matter the rhetoric.
He is far more afraid of right wing MAGA knowing exactly how far they are willing to go and knowing they are the majority of gun owners.
So once MAGA gets wise, he cannot risk another J6 coming after him instead of J6 supporting him.
And yet, an unarmed veteran was murdered. Double standardizing the hell out the lefts roll.
Who?
Her
Good?
Is it?