The term “Antifa” does not often conjure images of support for the Second Amendment, but Antifa Seven Hills is reportedly joining the massive group of conservatives slated to descend upon the Virginia Capitol in support of gun rights.

A spokesperson for the local chapter, who asked to only be identified as “James,” gave a rather common-sense reason for joining hands with the right when it comes to this particular issue.

“I think it’s been pretty important for us to focus on the fact that gun control in America has a legacy of racist enforcement,” he said. “Like taking guns away from black people, because black people were perceived as a threat to property and the sanctity of the state.”

James identifies himself as an anarchist and says that conservatives aren’t the only ones with a dog in this fight.

“This is our fight as much as anyone else’s,” he pointed out. “It’s our state, and we are left largely out of the debate. The presence of an armed left is not discussed, it’s not understood.”

James also believes that this particular instance of shared interest will serve to prove that Antifa isn’t a hive-mind that only advances progressive-left causes.

“I think what’s particular about the South is that we have to be a bit more creative and sensitive to the people around us — instead of fulfilling some sort of meme of what Antifa is,” he added. “That’s really what we’re trying to work against right now, especially by talking to conservatives and showing we aren’t just a black-clad group of rabble-rousers who are out for attention and have jobs funded by George Soros.”

While this appears to be an olive branch from this particular, Antifa chapter, nobody would fault conservatives for holding a healthy amount of skepticism about the union. In recent years, episodes of political violence have exploded between the two groups, often leading to assault, hospital bills, and anger toward elected officials for not doing more to protect right-leaning protestors.

Many believe it’s a disaster in the making:

Virginia Democrats planning Violence: Monday, January 20 is the possible date for a mass shooting, organized by ANTIFA. The purpose is to blame violence on Conservative gun owners. — Mark Morand (@mark_morand) January 16, 2020

I could see Virginia going down like this. Gun owners show up, gets along with Antifa Then the cops start arresting people for carrying, antifa resists…starts fighting the cops. Continued… — Voluntary Joe (@1CupNoLiberty) January 17, 2020

I'm seeing a couple of people claiming that it is a good thing that a couple of antifa groups are coming to stand up for 2A rights in Virginia. Anyone who stands with antifa, whether they are past or present, is a FOOL! Antifa is NOT our friend. Commies NEVER changes their spots. — DeplorablePride (@PrideDeplorable) January 17, 2020

Antifa have said they'll stand alongside the pro-2A people at the rally in Virginia this weekend, because they think that gun-grabbing politicians empower cops & put minorities at a disadvantage (which is true). This should be interesting, I hope no big fights break out.. — Saul ?????? (@OldSchoolSaul) January 17, 2020

The situation in Virginia isn’t looking good, however, as Governor Ralph Northam has declared a “state of emergency” ahead of the January 20 rally, and thereby making the state capitol a gun-free zone.

From BizPac Review:

Virginia’s Democratic governor Ralph Northam declared a state of emergency and is banning people from carrying firearms on Capitol grounds ahead of a Second Amendment rally scheduled for Jan. 20. In a press conference [on January 15,] Northam claimed he made the decision based on fears of violence from “credible intelligence” gathered from “mainstream channels, both offline and online, such as alternative dark web channels.”

As the date of the gathering quickly approaches, one Twitter user posted a photo of “State Police” gear that he claims “just rolled into Virginia.”

The hell is this? this “just rolled into Virginia” !? pic.twitter.com/qVvutH4ace — Luke Rudkowski (@Lukewearechange) January 17, 2020

According to Business Insider, the device is called “The Rook,” and is an “armored vehicle SWAT teams used to tear through vehicles, block an active shooter, or bust through a riot.”

Hopefully, this will only be used in a worst-case scenario but with gun-grabbers like Northam, it’s anybody’s guess.