Some of us are, when we can. Black Panther inspired open carry groups reemerged in Philly, but just like in California in the 80s, once 2A embracing black people start carrying legally, the powers that be change the rules.

During the height of BLM we had a crew that legally carried during our nightly marches around town and during rallies because the counter-protestors showed up in droves dressed like Gravy Seals. Cops hounded us repeatedly despite consistent proof we within our rights; their team brandished and popped off “oops my safety was off” shots without consequences. I think the only reason they didn’t rewrite the rules is because I live in a red state with incredibly lax firearms laws and there’s no way to target one political group without hitting everyone, yet.

And then there’s the problem of liberalism and Democrats. They’ve made gun control a hardline stance for years, and while there is a gun violence problem in the US, they’ve vilified the idea of “gun”, their supporters cling to notions that any form of militia-style open carry or organization is inherently violent, and have crafted legislation that makes it easy for corrupt and biased law enforcement and courts to turn against their political enemies while ignoring their own team.

I get that going out to a protest, parade, or rally and seeing someone carry even if you know they’re there to support your cause can be nerve wracking because you never know if they take firearms ownership seriously or just bought it last week and have no idea what they’re doing. It has been nice to see the rise of leftist, queer, and women’s training groups rise, we’re just really behind the curve when it comes to matching the far right when it comes to projecting the image. And that’s what 90% of it is, not that it’s a threat or promise of violence, it’s just a reminder that if they want to come in with bluster and a threat of violence it can and will be matched in defense of our own.