After reading some of the responses here I think some aspects need to be explained for a person to have a solid foundation for a legal defense.
In North Carolina, we have factors that must be understood before you arm up. You must understand that studying and knowing the law and how it applies is how one knows your left, right and backstop limits. IF you do not know the law, you are a danger to yourself and to the general public.
Lets look at three major elements that directly apply to this question.
Element 1
GS § 14-51.3. Use of force in defense of person; relief from criminal or civil liability. (a) A person is justified in using force, except deadly force, against another when and to the extent that the person reasonably believes that the conduct is necessary to defend himself or herself or another against the other's imminent use of unlawful force.
However, a person is justified in the use of deadly force and does not have a duty to retreat in any place he or she has the lawful right to be if either of the following applies:
(1) He or she reasonably believes that such force is necessary to prevent imminent death or great bodily harm to himself or herself or another. (2) Under the circumstances permitted pursuant to G.S. 14-51.2.
(b) A person who uses force as permitted by this section is justified in using such force and is immune from civil or criminal liability for the use of such force, unless the person against whom force was used is a law enforcement officer or bail bondsman who was lawfully acting in the performance of his or her official duties and the officer or bail bondsman identified himself or herself in accordance with any applicable law or the person using force knew or reasonably should have known that the person was a law enforcement officer or bail bondsman in the lawful performance of his or her official duties. (2011-268, s. 1.)
From the North Carolina Sheriffs Assn Concealed Handgun Use of force
You are legally justified in using deadly force (i.e., your handgun) against another person, when and only when:
1. You actually believe deadly force is necessary to prevent an imminent threat of death, great bodily harm, or sexual assault, and
2. The facts and circumstances prompting that belief would cause a person of ordinary firmness to believe deadly force was necessary to prevent an imminent threat of death, great bodily harm, or sexual assault, and
3. You were not an instigator or aggressor who voluntarily provoked, entered, or continued the conflict leading to deadly force, and
4. The force used was not excessive, i.e., the force used was not greater than reasonably needed to overcome the threat posed by a hostile aggressor.
Events Occurring In Public Places
North Carolina law further makes it unlawful for any person participating in, affiliated with, or present as a spectator at any parade, funeral procession, picket line, or demonstration upon any public place, owned or under the control of the State of North Carolina, or any of its political subdivisions, to willfully or intentionally possess, or have immediate access to any dangerous weapon. N.C. Gen. Stat. § 14-277.2. Persons exempted from the provisions of N.C. Gen. Stat. § 14-269(b) are not bound by this prohibition. These persons are set forth in Paragraph III. A. of this publication.
This prohibition also does not apply to the concealed carry of a handgun at a parade or funeral procession by a person with a valid permit to carry a concealed handgun, or by someone who is exempt from obtaining a permit pursuant to N.C. Gen. Stat. § 14-415.25. However, no person, irrespective of a permit or ability to carry without a permit, may carry a concealed handgun on any premises where the person in legal possession or control has posted a conspicuous notice prohibiting the carrying of a concealed handgun.
Lets put this together.
I can not go to a demonstration that's in the public space with my pistol concealed or open carry.
If I am not part of the demonstration and am traversing through the area I have the lawful right to be :in a public space" with my concealed handgun upon my person.
As long as I am not the instigator or aggressor who voluntarily provoked the situation. I have a solid foundation for self defense.
Using the public information that this group in question has proclaimed publicly they will put acid in containers and throw at people.
John