According to gun rights advocate and attorney John M. Snyder, Reverend Martin Luther King Jr. availed himself of his 2nd Amendment rights as well as his 1st Amendment rights . . .
“At one time, King applied for a permit to carry a concealed handgun, but was denied. He was concerned for his personal safety, just as are a lot of law-abiding American citizens. “
I do not find this the least bit remarkable (presuming it is true) nor in conflict with King’s non-violence policy in protesting against the government. One can, as an individual, successfully repel an attack from a criminal. To survive an assault from your Government requires different tactics, namely convincing your Government to change policies.
I do wonder if King applied for his permit early in his career or later, of if he ever changed his mind.