1. They’re openly objecting to a subculture which seems prone to violence against those who object against the violence of their subculture. Being armed helps keep the peace.
2. They want to remind those who denied them the right to assemble & pronounce grievances that they have the right to assemble & pronounce grievances. Being armed helps keep the peace.
Being armed helps keep the peace?
Really? If that’s what they really wanted then they wouldn’t show up in the first place.