Trump's attorney for Washington, D.C. sparked a firestorm conservatives didn't see coming.
Now she's scrambling to clean up the mess.
And Florida Governor Ron DeSantis hammered Jeanine Pirro for treating legal gun owners like criminals.
Trump Appointee Threatens Legal Gun Owners With Jail Time
U.S. Attorney Jeanine Pirro appeared on Fox News Monday and delivered a warning that left Second Amendment supporters stunned.
"You bring a gun into the district, you mark my words, you're going to jail," Pirro told host Martha MacCallum.
The former Fox News host didn't stop there.
"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," Pirro continued. "You bring a gun into this district, count on going to jail and hope you get the gun back."
Pirro's comments came as she bragged about Washington, D.C. going three weeks without a homicide in 2026.
But the Trump appointee missed something critical.
Washington, D.C. has operated under a "shall issue" concealed carry system since 2017 when a federal court struck down requirements that carriers prove "good reason" for a permit.
Non-residents can obtain permits in the District.
Republican Congressman Thomas Massie from Kentucky noted he has a D.C. carry permit himself.
https://twitter.com/RepThomasMassie/status/2018465845882851356?s=20
Florida Congressman Greg Steube carries a gun into Washington every week with permits from both Florida and D.C.
Pirro threatened to jail law-abiding Americans who already have every legal right to carry in the nation's capital.
Gun Rights Groups Fire Back At Trump Official
The National Association for Gun Rights called Pirro's comments "unacceptable and intolerable."
Gun Owners of America slammed Pirro for targeting some of the most law-abiding citizens in the country.
Florida Governor Ron DeSantis hammered Pirro for treating legal gun owners like criminals.
"Second Amendment rights are not extinguished just because an American visits DC," DeSantis wrote. "American gun owners who conceal carry are among the most law-abiding citizens in the nation. They are friends of law enforcement; they should not be targeted by law enforcement."
https://twitter.com/RonDeSantis/status/2018680205120819486?s=20
The backlash erupted across MAGA world and congressional Republicans.
Congressman Chip Roy from Texas called on Attorney General Pam Bondi to have a "quick conversation & course correction" with Pirro.
Georgia Congressman Andrew Clyde fired back that "Shall NOT be infringed is NOT a suggestion."
Trump Administration Caught In Second Gun Rights Controversy
Pirro's threat came less than two weeks after the Alex Pretti shooting created a massive rift between the Trump administration and gun rights advocates.
Federal Border Patrol agents shot and killed Pretti, a 37-year-old intensive care nurse, during an immigration enforcement operation in Minneapolis on January 24.
Pretti held a valid Minnesota concealed carry permit.
Video footage showed Pretti recording agents with his phone before being tackled.
He never drew his holstered 9mm handgun.
But Homeland Security Secretary Kristi Noem falsely claimed Pretti was "brandishing" a weapon and called him a "domestic terrorist."
White House Deputy Chief of Staff Stephen Miller labeled Pretti an "assassin."
Trump himself questioned why Pretti carried a gun to a protest despite having a legal permit.
"I don't like that he had a gun," Trump told reporters in Iowa.
"I don't like that he had two fully loaded magazines."
Gun Owners of America, the NRA, and prominent Republicans blasted the administration for attacking a lawful gun owner who never drew his weapon.
The Pretti shooting exposed a dangerous pattern.
Trump officials keep vilifying Americans for exercising their Second Amendment rights.
Now Pirro threatened jail time for legal concealed carriers visiting Washington.
Deputy Attorney General Todd Blanche tried damage control by posting that "This Administration and Department of Justice will fiercely protect Second Amendment rights."
https://twitter.com/DAGToddBlanche/status/2018705612964585495?s=20
But Pirro's own words told a different story.
Republican Governors and Gun Groups Demand National Carry Reciprocity
Pirro walked back her comments Tuesday after the backlash exploded.
"Let me be clear: I am a proud supporter of the Second Amendment," Pirro posted on X.
She claimed she only meant to target lawbreakers.
But that's not what she said Monday.
Pirro specifically threatened "law-abiding gun owners" with jail time regardless of their out-of-state permits.
https://twitter.com/JudgeJeanine/status/2018681644337500637?s=20
The controversy is fueling calls for the Constitutional Concealed Carry Reciprocity Act to pass Congress.
The legislation would require all states to recognize concealed carry permits from any other state.
Trump promised to sign the bill during his 2024 campaign.
"I will sign concealed carry reciprocity," Trump declared. "Your Second Amendment does not end at the state line."
More than 120 Republicans and one Democrat co-sponsored the House version introduced in January.
The bill passed the House Judiciary Committee 18-9 in March but hasn't reached the floor yet.
Twenty-nine states already don't require permits for concealed carry.
Several more have reciprocity agreements recognizing each other's permits.
But Washington, D.C. and states like New York and California refuse to honor out-of-state permits.
Erich Pratt, Senior Vice President of Gun Owners of America, explained why Pirro's position is unconstitutional.
"Jeanine Pirro's original remarks were not directed at violent criminals — they were aimed at law-abiding Americans who hold concealed carry permits in other states," Pratt said. "By every available statistic, these citizens are among the most law-abiding people in the country."
Pratt noted that criminals don't get permits or follow gun registration schemes.
"Hardened criminals do not obtain permits or follow licensing schemes, yet D.C.'s laws place the full weight of prosecution on lawful citizens who pose no threat to public safety," Pratt continued.
https://twitter.com/erichmpratt/status/2018870919339360714?s=20
"That is precisely why national concealed carry reciprocity is needed — a fundamental constitutional right should not disappear the moment a law-abiding American crosses an invisible border."
Trump's Second Amendment record is now under scrutiny from his own base.
The President who promised to be the most pro-gun chief executive in history just watched two of his appointees attack legal gun owners in less than two weeks.
Republicans are demanding answers.
And gun rights groups are watching to see if Trump keeps his promise to sign concealed carry reciprocity into law.
Sources:
- Max Rego, "DeSantis criticizes Pirro's remarks on individuals bringing guns into DC," The Hill, February 3, 2026.
- Harold Hutchison, "Jeanine Pirro Takes Fire After Second Amendment Comments," Daily Caller, February 3, 2026.
- Rachel Cohen, "Trump official squirms amid heated MAGA backlash: 'You're going to jail'," NJ.com, February 3, 2026.
- Matias Civita, "Republicans Quickly Turn on Trump DOJ Attorney For Threatening Legal Gun Owners in D.C.," Newsweek, February 3, 2026.
- "Killing of Alex Pretti," Wikipedia, accessed February 4, 2026.
- "Killing of Alex Pretti scrambles Second Amendment politics for Trump," PBS News, January 28, 2026.
- "2nd Amendment backlash follows portrayal of Alex Pretti by some Trump administration officials," ABC News, January 27, 2026.
- "What Donald Trump's 'concealed carry reciprocity' means for gun rights," Newsweek, November 11, 2024.
