Force always remains the last line of self defense, and history has proven it works when all other non violent, peaceful options have been exhausted [1]. This doesn’t require you agree with that, nor is anyone advocating for force other than self defense here. Laws only matter if respected and enforced objectively and in good faith, and they should matter in this context. Whether you acted in good faith when defending yourself will hopefully be decided by a jury of your peers, if needed, versus a kangaroo court or other rigged evaluation.
I see in other comments you’re not suggesting people be armed. I always suggest one be armed and have training, because words have no value when your safety is in jeopardy, and your safety is your responsibility; no one else will assure it for you.
There are nuances to my statements that are difficult to make in text.
I was hoping to discuss ways on perhaps pointing out (and how to defend) the last institutions that prevents the US from being in a civil war or authocracy.
I'm also writing to, I guess, just express some shock on how the US still sort of functions like nothing is going on.
The hypernormalization you refer to is certainly shocking to see. Americans are conditioned differently than say, the French, the Italians, or the Nepalese (who overthrew their corrupt government in a matter of days with <~20 deaths or so); Americans also have more to lose, faster, and with gun accessibility and violence, far more deaths would occur (imho) versus protests and activism that takes place in other countries. Their risk aversion is justified.
As a civilian, the best you can do is observe as the gears of democracy turn; if shit hits the fan, you can decide to leave for somewhere safer until the country restores democracy (totally valid, no shame in self preservation, lots of developed countries to pick from for near term residency), or stay while it happens. Manage your risk appetite accordingly, it’s all that is within your control. Have a plan. Better to have it and not need it versus need it and not have it.
Have some hope, these are not competent or serious people at work.
genocide is not a solution either. when those that have been given consent to govern act in a manner that is an assualt against the people, the people are the last line of defense in such a situation, that is what 2A is about, enabling the people to have at least a long shot at regulating the militia that has been assimilated by a tyrant.
violence is not a solution until pacificm is a death sentence.
every living thing on this planet has a right to defend itself and its posterity from attack. that doesnt mean laying down to be culled.
no one here is, and no one says you have to. American civics is not a call to violence, it is a testament to restraint until the option to exercise restraint is taken away. Indeed this is all about resisting violence. self defense is not violence.
regulation of a militia.
regulation of militia, by way of the peoples right to bear arms, not being infringed.