Maybe the local sheriffs, who probably know most of these people, aren't interested in creating a shoot out situation where one would not otherwise exist.
There was an incident 35-40 years ago that is still infamous in North Dakota, but probably unknown elsewhere. A decorated WWII veteran in his 60's, who was also a farmer, decided the US government no longer had the right to insist he pay taxes, so he stopped. He would get together with his wife, his kids, and a handful of other local friends, they'd bring all of their guns and they'd meet in a local veterinarian's office, talk about how they are all sovereign citizens, then go to Sunday brunch and go home. For years they bothered no one.
The feds prosecuted this farmer for not filing a tax return and he went to jail for a few months. Then, when he got out, he resumed his old ways.
The feds decided it was time to bring him in on a parole violation, and they decided to arrest him during one of the "meetings," when all of his armed friends and family members were there. The local police and sheriff were aghast, and told the feds that if they waited one day, they could walk into the local cafe and arrest this guy without incident, and without the guy having any guns or armed friends around.
Of course, the feds have never met a dik measuring contest that they didn't like, so they ignored the "local yokel" advice. End result? Bunch of dead and wounded law enforcement officers. Because the guy didn't want to file his tax return.
But yeah, I get it. You want these people gunned down because you disagree with their politics and you just don't like them. By all means, lets provoke more shoot outs. After all, they are insisting that bars and restaurants re-open. A shoot out seems a small price to pay to put that rebellion down.
