This is a question I'm seeing asked a lot, thanks to recent events that are still ongoing. I have very mixed thoughts, opinions, and feelings on the matter and I do think it's an important topic of discussion. Suffice it to say, there are a large number of people all over the place politically who are calling for sweeping police reforms, investigations into use of excessive force, etc. Second Amendment activists are included in those groups, but we've been seeing some pretty harrowing things going on like riot police attacking protesters, seemingly without provocation (many of these incidents have no indication of provocation by the protesters). Another issue being seen now is federal police teams being deployed to Portland, OR and driving around in unmarked vans, detaining people without informing them of what they're being detained for or anything.

These things, along with what happened at Lafayette Park in D.C. and other incidents have lead to a lot of people angrily demanding "Where are the gun owners? Where are the 2A Activists?" and I have seen a range of responses, all of which I agree with to some degree. The first, most immediate answer that may tempt some people is that most 2A activists are actually in support of the police activity. I don't believe this to be true, though there certainly are some who do support Trump, the actions taken by the police, etc. Another answer I've seen presented is: the same people who push for legislation to outright ban certain types of firearms and restrict law-abiding citizens' ability to purchase, own, and maintain them are now demanding that those same people step up to defend and protect them, and the 2A activists won't have it. This is one of the responses I agree a little more with. You can't make the argument that guns have no place in the hands of ordinary citizens, then demand those same people rush to your defense when the very people you say should be among the only ones allowed to have firearms are *gasp!* acting oppressively. However the flipside of that argument is also valid (it doesn't matter who needs to be defended, this is what the Second Amendment is for. Period.).

Two other factors, however, that I think are indeed very likely and are related to each other are:
The cities where we are seeing the worst uses of unprovoked, excessive force by the police are some of the least "gun-friendly" place, where there are such heavy restrictions that being able to own, carry, etc. a firearm is incredibly difficult and discouraged in several ways. More gun-friendly areas seem to have less incidents, especially in places where we are seeing protesters active open-carrying rifle, pistols, and even wearing tac vests, plate carriers, etc. The second issue, related to the previous, is that gun owners aren't willing to take the massive risk and consequences of rushing to the aid of people IN THESE CITIES. D.C. and Portland, the former especially, are infamous for their restrictive gun laws. The people who own the kinds of firearms needed to defend against police who are geared up against these protesters would need to come from out of state/territory, and police could set up roadblocks and search every vehicle coming into the area and anyone who gets caught trying to come in with arms could face some VERY serious legal penalties. So, frankly speaking, people in those areas are victims of the same draconian restrictions that they themselves pushed for.

That said, though, I think it's unfair to say that gun owners aren't doing anything at all. We're seeing a lot of people, of many ethnicities, races, etc. stepping up to defend homes, small businesses, etc. from rioters and opportunists. The bottom line, though, is this: You seriously CANNOT rely on ANYONE else to defend you. You are on your own and your first line of defense is always yourself. Learn to operate and maintain firearms, get at least one to train with, and keep your gun laws in mind when you do. It seems pretty clear to me that cops are a lot more wary of and less likely to fuck with a well-armed populace.