Federal homeland security agents arrested a Florida-licensed attorney after a Mississippi gun store reported she vowed to kill immigration officers while trying to buy a gun.
Story Snapshot
- Homeland Security Investigations arrested Lisa C. White after a gun-store report of threats against immigration officers.
- A federal complaint ties the alleged threats to a visit at High Caliber Guns on September 23, 2026.
- Officials say White asked if bullets could pierce body armor and tried to buy a firearm and pepper spray.
- Prosecutors cite a federal statute on threats against officials that can carry up to 10 years in prison.
Arrest Following Reported Threats at Mississippi Gun Store
Homeland Security Investigations, a unit within Immigration and Customs Enforcement, arrested Florida-licensed attorney Lisa C. White after staff at High Caliber Guns in Long Beach, Mississippi, reported that she threatened to kill federal agents while seeking to buy a firearm. Agents said the store notified the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives, which then referred the case to Homeland Security Investigations. Agents arrested White on September 24, one day after the reported incident.
According to an affidavit described in local reporting, White entered the store on September 23 and said, “I need a gun.” She allegedly identified herself as a protester and activist, then directed threats at immigration officers. The federal complaint was filed by a named special agent, who cited witness accounts from store personnel. Officials said the threats were specific to federal agents, not general political speech, which raised security concerns for field officers.
Details Cited by Investigators About Alleged Intent
Officials said White asked whether bullets could pass through protective vests worn by agents. When told about body armor, she allegedly pointed to her torso and discussed aiming for the head or limbs. Investigators said she tried to buy a firearm and pepper spray during the same visit. These details, if proven, help show intent and target choice, which are key parts of the federal charge for threats against officials performing their duties.
Authorities said the store’s report moved through a clear chain: staff notified the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives, that agency referred the matter to Homeland Security Investigations, and agents then interviewed witnesses before making the arrest. This sequence is standard when a potential federal offense involves firearms and threats to federal employees, ensuring proper jurisdiction and rapid response to a possible risk.
Charge, Possible Penalties, and Free Speech Boundaries
Prosecutors identified a federal statute that bans threats meant to influence, impede, or retaliate against a federal official. Reports said the offense can bring up to 10 years in prison and a fine up to two hundred fifty thousand dollars. The agency did not say a gun was sold, and available reports focus on the alleged threats and the arrest, not on a completed purchase or transfer of a weapon.
Florida attorney Lisa White charged after walking into a Mississippi gun shop and saying she needed a g*n to k*ll ICE agents.
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White, 70, of Diamondhead told employees at High Caliber Guns in Long Beach on September 23 that she was an activist and protester who needed a firearm… pic.twitter.com/An1J4gx2zl— Blue Lives Matter (@bluelivesmtr) October 22, 2026
The case arrives amid debate over the line between heated speech and criminal threats. The Supreme Court has said that “true threats” are not protected speech when a person means to communicate a serious intent to harm a specific person or group. In 2023, the Court held that prosecutors must show at least recklessness about the threatening nature of the words in such cases, underscoring that context and intent both matter.
Why This Matters for Public Trust and Safety
Front-line agents face growing risks as tempers flare over immigration enforcement. Threats can spread fear among officers and their families, and they can chill routine field work that keeps borders and communities safe. At the same time, citizens expect officials to act within the law and respect free speech. Clear process, cited witnesses, and court review help show that arrests target real threats, not viewpoint, which is key to public trust.
Sources:
pjmedia.com, wlox.com, knoe.com
