By: Robert Davis

A former Marine had his guns seized by local police acting under the authority of Oregon’s red flag gun confiscation law for allegedly threatening local Antifa organizers during a demonstration against the state’s response to left-wing violence at recent protests.

Shane Kohfield, a supporter of President Trump, reportedly said, “If Antifa gets to the point where they start killing us, I’m going to kill them next. I’d slaughter them and I have a detailed plan on how I would wipe out Antifa.”

Kohfield admitted to The Oregonian that he probably looked intimidating to some, but never intended to cause harm. He was dressed in a Kevlar jacket with a hunting knife strapped to one shoulder and a copy of his concealed carry permit on the other. His infamous “Make America Great Again” hat made him stick out at the event.

“I looked unhinged,” he told the newspaper. “I looked dangerous and have the training to be dangerous.”

Within days, the FBI’s Joint Terrorism Task Force assisted local law enforcement as they forced Kohfield to surrender his AR-15, a handgun, rife, and shotgun. Kohfield was also admitted to a veteran’s hospital to undergo psychological evaluations. He was released days later and has still not been charged with a crime.

After Kohfield’s arrest, a former FBI agent congratulated his comrades on social media by characterizing the arrest as evidence that pro-active gun confiscation laws work to reduce crime. But most gun owners see it as law enforcement selectively applying laws to disarm citizens who are exercising their Constitutional rights.

“The feds, who refuse to prosecute deep state cretins like James Comey but devote excessive resources to profiling and demonizing gun owners, are patting themselves on the back for targeting this veteran with pre-crime measures,” Shane Trejo, a contributor for BigLeaguePolitics, wrote in an article about Kohfield’s arrest.

Kohfield defended his actions in a Facebook post where he asked for prayers to awaken our “sleeping country.

“Once you know me you will see beyond my aggression and you will see my kindness, compassion and empathy,” he wrote. “Eventually when you see the bigger picture of who and what I am, you will find my aggression will provide you comfort knowing that someone who loves you will use ruthless aggression and savagery to protect you from those who aim to harm you and enslave you.”

Antifa in Oregon
Oregon is home to the oldest Antifa group in the U.S. —the Rose City Antifascists. The group, which was founded in 2007, has become notorious for using any-means-necessary measures to disrupt protests from groups that align to the political right-of-center.

These tactics include social media posts asking local organizers to “defend Portland from right-wing attacks” to throwing concrete-laden milkshakes at journalists they disagree with.

The Anti-Defamation League (ADL) characterizes Antifa as a “loose collection of local/regional groups and individuals” whose main purpose it is to “intimidate and dissuade racists.” The group has a long history of attacking those with whom they disagree.

“The use of violent measures by some antifa against their adversaries can create a vicious, self-defeating cycle of attacks, counter-attacks and blame,” The ADL explains. “This is why most established civil rights organizations criticize antifa tactics as dangerous and counterproductive.”

Kohfield wrote to Rep. Dan Crenshaw (R-TX), a Marine veteran, asking to have Antifa designated as a domestic terrorist organization, a measure President Trump supports as well.

During a Proud Boys demonstration in Portland in mid-August, Antifa organizers were seen throwing bottles and instigating fights with members of the far-right organization. The clash ended with 13 arrests.

“Major consideration is being given to naming ANTIFA an ‘ORGANIZATION OF TERROR,’” Trump tweeted shortly before the Proud Boys rally. “Portland is being watched very closely. Hopefully the Mayor will be able to properly do his job!”

Robert Davis is a general assignment reporter for Gunpowder Magazine. You can contact him with tips and comments at RobertDavis0414 (at) gmail dot com.