Can Trump Supporters Legally Shoot Left-Wing “Antifa” Attackers?

The confrontation occurred on a day when Americans across the country held peaceful demonstrations in support of President Donald Trump, free speech and America.

According to the Los Angeles Times, the pro-Trump demonstrators participating in the “March 4 Trump” rally began marching at 2 p.m. PST Saturday at the Martin Luther King Jr. Civic Center Park. Just several blocks up the road, they were met by counter-protesters dressed in masks and black clothing who began the confrontation.

Photos and videos posted to Twitter and other social media showed fistfights, shouting matches, people being beat with sticks and signs, people pulling hair and some counter-protesters pepper-spraying the pro-Trump marchers, including an elderly man.

I also saw numerous videos and still photos from other social media posts that suggested the outbreaks of violence shown here were fairly representative of the clash.

Both sides came to this incident prepared for a fight. Heavy wooden tool handles were thinly disguised as protest signs, when they were clearly brought as clubs. Protestors on both sides also went shopping at “Shields R Us.” Many wore padding, eye protection, and were clearly aware they were walking into a situation where the probability of mutual combat melees breaking out was high.