Fact check: Are licensed gun owners in Minnesota permitted to carry a loaded firearm at protests?

MINNEAPOLIS, MINNESOTA: After Alex Pretti, 37, was shot dead by Border Patrol agents on January 24 in Minneapolis, some members of President Donald Trump's administration said Pretti was a violent instigator as he was carrying a loaded gun while protesting. 

Following this, a rumor circulated across social media claiming that licensed gun owners in Minnesota are permitted to carry a loaded firearm at a protest. But is there any truth to this claim? Let us find out below.

Claim: Licensed gun owners in Minnesota are permitted to carry loaded firearm at a protest

During a January 25 Fox News appearance, FBI Director Kash Patel said in reference to Alex Pretti's death, "You cannot bring a firearm, loaded, with multiple magazines to any protest that you want. It's that simple. You don't have the right to break the law and incite violence."

Soon after his statement, social media users disputed his comments, calling Patel 'completely incorrect on Minnesota law.' Minnesota Gun Owners Caucus, a gun rights advocacy group, took to X and posted, "This is completely incorrect on Minnesota law. There is no prohibition on a permit holder carrying a firearm, loaded, with multiple magazines at a protest or rally in Minnesota."

Similarly, another X user wrote, "Kash Patel just came out against the 2nd Amendment 'You cannot bring a firearm loaded with multiple magazines to any sort of protest that you want. It’s that simple.' Actually, in plenty of places in the US you can. The director doesn’t know the law." 

"This is a blatant lie by Kash Patel. In Minnesota, if you have a license to carry a gun, you have a right to carry it at a protest," mentioned another X user. 

Meanwhile, an X user further wrote, "Under the Second Amendment and MN Stat. 624.714, permit holders may legally carry firearms in public, including during protests. The U.S. Supreme Court has ruled that public carry is a constitutional right. Carrying a firearm does not legally constitute 'inciting'." 

The FBI Director's comments also came after Homeland Security Secretary Kristi Noem implied that carrying a firearm gave officers a reason to shoot Pretti in self-defense.

She said during a news conference on January 24, "I don't know of any peaceful protesters that show up with a gun and ammunition rather than a sign."

Fact Check: True, Minnesota laws allow licensed gun owners to carry firearms

The claims made in the online posts are true, as Minneapolis statutes, Minnesota state law, and federal law allow licensed gun owners to carry firearms, even loaded, in almost all public spaces, including at a protest.

Moreover, Minneapolis police chief Brian O'Hara said on Monday, January 26, that based on "every indication we have," Pretti was "lawfully permitted to be armed in a public space." 

As per the Minnesota Bureau of Criminal Apprehension, there are four Minnesota statutes that cite instances where gun permit holders are prohibited from carrying a firearm: Sections 243.55, 609.66, 624.714, and 641.165.

Notably, Minnesota statute Section 243.55 prohibits people from carrying guns into a state correctional facility or state hospital. Section 609.66 prohibits firearm possession in courthouses, certain state buildings, and on school property; and Section 641.165 prohibits taking guns into jails, lockups, and correctional facilities.

Furthermore, Section 624.714 largely concerns penalties for carrying a weapon without a permit.