đ What Kristi Noem Said
DHS Secretary Kristi Noem appeared on FOX Newsâs The Sunday Briefing this week and stated that carrying a concealed firearm in Minnesota without also carrying your permit and government-issued ID is âbreaking the law.â She linked this to broader public safety concerns during protest situations and emphasized that interfering with law enforcement operations itself can be unlawful.
Noemâs comments were made in the context of recent confrontations involving federal agents and armed residents or protesters during an immigration enforcement operation in Minneapolis.
đ What Minnesota Law Actually Says
Under Minnesotaâs permit-to-carry statutes, someone with a concealed-carry permit must have their permit card and a government-issued photo ID (like a driverâs license or state ID) on their person while carrying a firearm, and must present them to law enforcement upon lawful request.
𧚠Ongoing Minneapolis Federal Shooting Controversy
This comes amid a second fatal federal shooting in Minneapolis in January 2026 â the death of Alex Pretti, a 37-year-old ICU nurse â during a federal immigration enforcement operation. Federal officials claim the agent fired in self-defense; local officials and witness video have raised conflicting accounts about what led up to the shooting.
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Minneapolis police confirmed Pretti had a concealed-carry permit, though federal statements said the man did not have ID at the scene.
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The shooting sparked widespread protests and political backlash, with calls from local officials for federal law enforcement to leave the city and for transparent investigations.
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Even some pro-gun groups and Republicans have criticized federal statements about gun law violations, arguing that peaceful protest and lawful gun ownership are not illegal.
đ§ Broader Pushback
Minneapolis Police Chief Brian OâHara has said public anger is so intense that even legal justifications for shootings arenât calming the community.
Other leaders nationwide are calling for investigations and accountability while legal cases progress.
In short: Noemâs claim about concealed carry reflects the statutory requirement that those with permits must have both their permit and photo ID on them while carrying. Her remarks were made in a highly charged environment after a federal agent shot a person in Minneapolis â a situation that has become a flashpoint for debate over law enforcement, protest rights, and gun laws.