Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis blasted a warning from Washington, D.C.’s top federal prosecutor after she vowed jail time for anyone bringing a gun into the capital.
DeSantis pushed back Tuesday morning after U.S. Attorney for the District of Columbia Jeanine Pirro issued a blunt threat on national television, drawing angry reactions from Republican officials and gun rights advocates across the country.
“Second Amendment rights are not extinguished just because an American visits DC,” DeSantis wrote on X, framing the dispute as a constitutional clash rather than a local enforcement issue.
The Florida governor argued that lawful gun carriers are being unfairly lumped in with criminals, warning that aggressive rhetoric risks alienating people who routinely cooperate with police.
Second Amendment rights are not extinguished just because an American visits DC.
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://t.co/iq1Wmot52A
— Ron DeSantis (@RonDeSantis) February 3, 2026
“American gun owners who conceal carry are among the most law-abiding citizens in the nation,” DeSantis wrote.
“They are friends of law enforcement; they should not be targeted by law enforcement,” he added.
The flashpoint came from Pirro’s appearance Monday on Fox News’ “The Story with Martha MacCallum,” where she delivered an unambiguous message about firearms in Washington.
“If you bring a gun into the district, you mark my words, you’re going to jail,” Pirro declared during the interview, leaving little room for nuance.
“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,” she continued.
“You bring a gun into this district, count on going to jail and hope you get the gun back.”
Her comments immediately collided with the complicated patchwork of gun laws that governs the nation’s capital, where local rules differ sharply from many states.
Under Washington, D.C. law, firearms must be registered with police, permits from other jurisdictions are not recognized, and entire categories of weapons cannot be registered at all.
Open carry is illegal in the district, and assault rifles, machine guns and similar firearms are barred from registration, creating strict limits that often surprise out-of-state visitors.
The contrast with Florida could not be sharper, as open carry is legal there following a September ruling by a state appeals court panel.
That decision held that “law-abiding, adult citizens” have a Second Amendment right to carry firearms in public, a ruling DeSantis lauded at the time.
This decision aligns state policy with my long-held position and with the vast majority of states throughout the union.
Ultimately, the court correctly ruled that the text of the Second Amendment — “to keep and bear arms” — says what it means and means what it says. https://t.co/fOi1AjsPvS
— Ron DeSantis (@GovRonDeSantis) September 10, 2025
As criticism mounted, Pirro moved quickly to clarify her stance, insisting her office is not targeting responsible gun owners who comply with local law.
“Let me be clear: I am a proud supporter of the Second Amendment,” Pirro wrote Tuesday on X, attempting to cool the backlash.
She said her focus remains on illegal firearms, adding, “We are focused on individuals who are unlawfully carrying guns and will continue building on that momentum to keep our communities safe.”
Pirro highlighted that Washington’s licensing requirements are non-negotiable, writing that “Washington, D.C. law requires handguns be licensed in the District with the Metropolitan Police Department to be carried into our community.”
In a follow-up video, Pirro leaned into her pro-gun credentials while stressing personal responsibility.
A message to my fellow gun owners…put your safety back on 😉 pic.twitter.com/fkgWD7GsuB
— Jeanine Pirro (@JudgeJeanine) February 3, 2026
She described herself as a “proud supporter” of the Second Amendment and a “proud high-heeled gun owner,” but cautioned that enthusiasm for gun rights does not excuse ignorance of the law.
“And every responsible gun owner that I know makes sure that they understand the laws where they are going,” she said, reinforcing her compliance-first message.
Pirro also tied her enforcement posture to the Trump administration’s broader priorities, saying both she and the president want guns taken out of criminal hands.
Deputy Attorney General Todd Blanche echoed that sentiment by reposting Pirro’s remarks and declaring that “this Administration and Department of Justice will fiercely protect Second Amendment rights.”
This Administration and Department of Justice will fiercely protect Second Amendment rights https://t.co/Z8dR8Dleqi
— Todd Blanche (@DAGToddBlanche) February 3, 2026
The assurances did little to stem the anger among lawmakers and advocacy groups who viewed Pirro’s original comments as a threat to lawful carry.
Rep. Greg Steube, R-Fla., responded by pointing directly to his own conduct, writing on X that he brings a gun to Washington “every week.”
🚨 VENEZUELAN DICTATOR NICOLAS MADURO IN U.S. CUSTODY 🚨 Do you AGREE Trump made America STRONG again??? ➡️➡️➡️ TAKE THE FREEDOM POLL NOW and stand with President Trump!!!🇺🇸🇺🇸🇺🇸
Steube noted that he holds licenses in both Florida and D.C., adding, “And I will continue to carry to protect myself and others.”
He closed his post with a defiant challenge: “Come and Take it!”
Rep. Thomas Massie, R-Ky., also jumped into the fray, reminding followers that nonresidents can obtain permits in the district.
“Don’t ask me how I know,” Massie wrote Monday, before escalating his criticism the next day.
“Why is a ‘conservative’ judge threatening to arrest gun owners?” he asked, questioning Pirro’s posture.
Rep. Chip Roy, R-Texas, signaled frustration with the Justice Department’s messaging, writing, “This is not how this works.”
This is not how this works. @AGPamBondi needs to have a quick conversation & course correction here. https://t.co/bF9m0uNJdK
— Chip Roy (@chiproytx) February 3, 2026
Roy added that Attorney General Pam Bondi “needs to have a quick conversation & course correction here,” urging internal intervention.
Outside Congress, gun rights organizations piled on, framing the controversy as evidence of federal overreach.
The National Association for Gun Rights labeled Pirro’s comments “unacceptable and intolerable,” arguing they expose the need for nationwide permitless carry.
“Bureaucrats act like the 2A does not exist and brag about jailing people for exercising their rights,” the group wrote.
The National Rifle Association used the moment to renew its push for legislation, urging Congress to pass the National Concealed Carry Reciprocity Act.
“Your right to self-defense should not end simply because you crossed a state line or into Washington, D.C.,” the NRA tweeted.
The dispute marked the latest internal rupture on the right over gun policy, following recent clashes tied to federal enforcement actions.
The issue flared last month after administration officials noted that Alex Pretti, who was licensed to carry, was armed when he was shot and killed by federal agents during a protest against Immigration and Customs Enforcement.
Federal authorities said the agent fired “defensive shots” after Pretti “violently resisted,” while Homeland Security Secretary Kristi Noem said he brandished a gun and labeled him a “domestic terrorist.”
FBI Director Kash Patel added to the controversy by warning that “you cannot bring a firearm loaded with multiple magazines” to protests.
Gun rights groups pushed back hard, rejecting any implication that lawful carriers lose their rights when exercising free speech.
President Donald Trump was drawn into the debate after reporters asked whether Pretti had acted as an assassin.
Trump rejected that characterization but criticized Pretti for being armed, saying, “You can’t walk in with guns.”
🚨#BREAKING: Watch as a reporter asks President Donald Trump, “Do you agree with the assessment from some officials that Alex Pretti was a domestic terrorist
President Trump responded by saying he had not heard Pretti described that way and called the situation “very… pic.twitter.com/Ymq1yO75IF
— R A W S A L E R T S (@rawsalerts) January 27, 2026
Pressed again later during a trip to Iowa, Trump repeated his concern, saying Pretti “shouldn’t have been carrying a gun.”
“I don’t like that he had a gun. I don’t like that he had two fully loaded magazines,” Trump said, while calling the incident “very unfortunate.”
White House press secretary Karoline Leavitt pointed out that Trump “supports the Second Amendment rights of law-abiding American citizens, absolutely.”
She added that constitutional protections do not extend to obstructing immigration enforcement operations.
Pirro, for her part, defended her record by pointing to recent crime statistics in the district.
She told Fox News that Washington had gone three weeks without a homicide, crediting tougher enforcement and deeper federal coordination.
Pirro argued that aggressive prosecution, stronger gun enforcement and the removal of repeat offenders fueled the shift.
“This is about getting chronic offenders off the street,” she said. “It’s about making sure that there are consequences.”
She cited “9,500 arrests and almost 1,000 guns taken off the streets” since the crackdown began, presenting the numbers as proof of progress.
Violent crime has declined since the deployment of the National Guard, a move that initially drew resistance from D.C. Mayor Muriel Bowser.
Pirro said Bowser’s view changed after seeing results, highlighting what she described as a productive partnership.
“This is about making sure that it’s a partnership,” Pirro said. “It’s the only way we’re gonna solve the problem, and we are solving this problem.”
