People attacked him because he had a big gigantic deadly gun and was goading a literal angry mob with the gun.
It’s now more clear to me than ever that you are intentionally acting in bad faith. What is wrong with you?
It absolutely is considered goading. If lifting your shirt to reveal a gun holstered can be considered a threat (one that police can legally shoot you over) then carrying a rifle at a protest and starting shit with the protestors is also a threat.
He didn’t go there to make his voice heard — he went there to intimidate and kill.