A good counterexample was Bundy Ranch. The feds being bullies and cowards were outgunned, and so decided not to engage because it would have been a shitshow if they did. Thats how peace is maintained. When everyone comes to eachothers rescue so the feds guns are useless and they have to disengage or risk their lives just to enforce illegitimate laws. No paid mercenary, no hired gun, no criminal, is gonna risk equally odds. The state only ever engages with overwhelming numbers in ambush tactics against citizens. And all of this is possible while remaining *entirely* peaceful. Do not draw on police. Do not threaten them. Do not intimidate or throw your weight around. Hell, you don't even have to stop them or interfere with them. Just open carry with a lot of other constitutionalists who believe in the same and exercise their right to do so. That was the lesson of bundy ranch.