FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

January 27, 2026

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Sen. Josh McLaurin Introduces Resolution Affirming Georgians’ Right to Bear Arms and Publicly Protest

This past weekend, the Trump administration labelled a Minnesota man killed by border patrol agents as a terrorist because he was legally carrying a firearm at a public protest

SR 605 affirms Georgians’ right to own a firearm and publicly protest, condemns the killing of Alex Pretti, and implores Georgia legislators to uphold constitutionally-protected rights

The National Rifle Association urged the Trump administration to stop calling Pretti a terrorist for carrying a firearm at a protest

Atlanta, Ga. — On Tuesday, January 27, Senator Josh McLaurin (D-Atlanta) introduced  Senate Resolution 605 reaffirming Georgians’ rights to own and carry a firearm and publicly protest. 

This past weekend, the Trump administration labelled Alex Pretti, an American citizen, killed by border patrol agents, a domestic terrorist because he was lawfully carrying a firearm at a public protest. Pretti was a 37-year-old ICU nurse at a Veterans Affairs hospital in Minneapolis.

The resolution condemns the killing of Pretti and reasserts Georgians’ right to the Second Amendment. The right to own and carry a firearm has been staunchly defended and repeatedly upheld by the Supreme Court. 

After the killing of Alex Pretti, the Trump administration used Pretti’s rights—Americans’ rights—as justification for his killing. The National Rifle Association has loudly called for the Trump administration to cease doing so because they understand Pretti was not a dangerous criminal simply for exercising his constitutional rights.

Owning and carrying a firearm should not be justification for the murder of an American citizen. Peacefully participating in a public protest should not be justification for the murder of an American citizen.

Senator Josh McLaurin is available for comment.

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