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No matter what MAGA trolls might try to convince you of, an armed left is an effective way to reduce right-wing harassment and violence. This isn't just an assumption, although it would be a pretty good one. If a group of "alpha male" "Proud Boys" was feeling especially aggressive because they had five of their fellow Nazis with them, do you think they'd approach these guys as quickly as they would a small group of unarmed protesters? Do you think they'd approach them at all? Fortunately, we don't have to assume. When the Black Panthers started toting firearms in the '60s, you didn't just see a stark decrease in police brutality. You also saw actual reforms that changed how police interacted with the community. Then when armed members of the American Indian Movement occupied Wounded Knee in 1973, federal agents engaged in negotiations for over 70 days rather than try an all-out assault.Of course, we can't forget the Bundy Ranch standoff, where a group of armed right-wing extremists stood against federal agents and prevented federal agents from removing cattle from federal land. The right LOVED that "protest," but they'll likely ignore the fact that Ammon Bundy is a VOCAL opponent of Donald Trump and his unconstitutional actions. Point being is this: most of MAGA is made up of nothing more than scared little men who only feel tough when they're armed, facing off against women, or part of a gang of other scared guys with fragile masculinity. If armed protesters are enough to make federal authorities and law enforcement think twice, what do you think pathetic, little, untrained incels will do when they see the same thing?I'm not saying you HAVE to be armed, just like I wouldn't say you HAVE to avoid walking down dark alleys in bad neighborhoods. However, both are good recommendations. Point being is this: If Donald Trump, Kash Patel, and Jeanine Pirro don't want you armed at a protest, there's probably a good reason that you should be.