In a recent anti-ICE protest in Minnesota, a civil litigator, who chose to legally carry a concealed handgun, shared his experience and the complex motivations behind his decision. Amidst rising political tensions and recent violent events, he felt the necessity to be prepared for any scenario where self-defense might become imperative.

The decision came after reconsidering personal security due to the political climate influenced by former President Donald Trump's administration. The litigator expressed concerns about potential violence under Trump’s leadership, citing the incident on January 6 as a precedent where a mob was incited to disrupt democratic processes.

During the protest, which occurred in the wake of two controversial killings by federal agents, the lawyer was torn about bringing a pistol. He acknowledged the legal right to carry the weapon but also feared it might escalate risks if confrontations arose with law enforcement. The killings referenced included the shooting of Renee Good by ICE agent Jonathan Ross and another incident involving Alex Pretti, who was killed by federal agents under disputed circumstances.

Despite these fears, the lawyer chose to bring his handgun to the protest, a decision uneventful in terms of interactions with law enforcement, as ICE did not intervene in the protest that day. He returned home without incident, having exercised his First and Second Amendment rights, but with a heightened awareness of the potential consequences of being armed at such events.

The aftermath of the protest and the national response to the killings of Good and Pretti were significant. Accusations flew from high-profile figures, labeling Pretti a "domestic terrorist" without substantial evidence, solely based on his possession of a legally carried weapon at the time of his death. This narrative was strongly opposed and debunked in the public discourse, highlighting a growing concern about the portrayal and treatment of armed civilians.

The litigator reflected on the broader implications of these events, considering the sacrifices of Good and Pretti as a rallying cry for civil rights and a pushback against what he described as a "debased and lawless federal government." He stressed the importance of their deaths in mobilizing public attention and action against governmental overreach and violence.

The story of carrying a handgun to a protest, thus, intersects with broader themes of civil liberties, the role of armed civilians in public spaces, and the ongoing debate over governmental authority and individual rights. The litigator's experience underscores a deeply polarized America, where the interplay between activism, law enforcement, and individual rights is increasingly complex and fraught with potential peril.