“Even people who support self defense are going to get nervous if a bunch of guys with AR15s stroll into the place.”
I think you are projecting. Much depends on specifics.
It the people with AR15 “stroll in the the place” as part of a clearly political act, as a way to exercise their Constituitonal rights, I do not see most people seeing it as a problem.
If they carry the AR15s slung, never pointing them at anyone, and are acting jovially, they are not a threat.
Now, if they carry the weapons at the ready, as the Black Panthers did 50 years ago at the California legislature, and act in a threatening manor, as they did, and are careless with how they point their muzzles, as the Panthers did, yes, then people are likely to be nervous.
I think you are projecting. Much depends on specifics.
It the people with AR15 “stroll in the the place” as part of a clearly political act, as a way to exercise their Constituitonal rights, I do not see most people seeing it as a problem.
I probably should have said "some people", but my guess is a lot would. Maybe some wouldn't, but I know some would. Anyway how do you communicate ahead of time to everyone there that it's "part of a clearly political act, as a way to exercise their Constitutional rights"? Walk in and say don't worry, nobody's going to get hurt? Pass out flyers? I agree it's pretty stupid if Texas law allows you to carry long guns loaded in public but not holstered handguns, so I see the point, and if it worked to bring attention to it in Texas that's good. But in a lot of places the result would be public support to have legislatures outlaw carrying long guns too.
One more thing. Comparing this statement to Zumbo's is mixing apples and oranges. Zumbo stated he didn't care if the government outlawed "assault weapons" because nobody needs one. That's fundamentally different than thinking a particular tactic will backfire and hurt the fight against the hoplophobes.