For me it's the message it sends. That message is, if youre going to a protest that's likely to attract the attention of white supremacist militias, then go tooled up AF. The only way you're ever going to see gun control in America is when people that the authorities deem undesirable (hint: not fascists) start getting armed.

Dont forget how pro gun control the NRA was when the Black Panthers started practising open carry in the 1960's

https://www.history.com/news/black-p...rt-mulford-act