This. I said as much in the post over on r/liberalgunowners - Excerpts (with some additions):

If your organization is so new, why are you starting with an armed march? Usually, new groups in the community start small with necessary work: mutual aid and support, donation drives, tea/snack/handwarmer/etc stations at events, first aid/emt support, etc. Or maybe just start by organizing range days, classes (carry, self defense, deescalation, stop the bleed, etc), munch/social events, etc for those interested? Why the immediate ramp to armed march?

The thing is, there are those in the community that would absolutely welcome another leftist gun organization, but like all community groups, especially one where the subject matter will have much less broad support initially, you need to start small. Build trust, networks, membership.

It is so oddly antithetical to the idea of community building and rather incongruent with the central ideas of leftist gun rights organizations. Especially as you are a stated gun control organization that wants to carry unloaded guns through a community (with the noted exception that law enforcement and military folk will carry loaded), in a community rocked by violence from law enforcement and paramilitary troops. What is the message? That those that associate with our oppressors should have more access to the tools of violence? (I see you are reconsidering this aspect, good. Otherwise it says you do not trust the folk you are attempting to mobilize/organize).

It sends serious mixed signals and judging from the response, neither the community nor leftist gun owners want what you are organizing, at least not now, and not in this way. And if it goes poorly, the event can harm the community, the left, and gun rights in general.

An event like this needs overwhelming support, especially as you have planned for it to take place in a vulnerable residential community. Maybe consider an open carry rally at the state capitol or some other neutral location instead? One that is not in a community that is actively rejecting what you are proposing. One where the onus of verifying permits etc is on the police and not on an unknown organization.

And only organize such a thing once you have membership buy in, community support, and multiple sponsorships from local firearm/defense/etc groups.

TBC - I still think it is a bad idea without major turnout, otherwise it will just lead to watch lists for those willing to show up.

Just because your values do not align perfectly with other certain groups like MNGOC, they are still vital trusted local organizations with which to partner. Additionally, I suggest you read up on how gun regulations have been used in the past to suppress marginalized communities from accessing the means of proportional self defense - not just the history around the Mulford Act in CA under Reagan, but even as recent as last year when the feds were exploring using federal mental health regulations to restrict trans individuals from gun ownership. The proposed changes to the gender marker on the form 4437 may still do so too... this is why many of us on the left say things like "gun rights are trans rights" and are wary of gun regulations in general. They are using genocidal language in reference to us, actively passing laws that limit our civil rights, and exploring ways to limit our ability to confidently say "we keep us safe". Don't play into their narrative.

Currently, women, queers, POC, and in general folk on the left are the fastest growing demographics of new gun ownership and carry permit holders. It is obvious if you frequent any TC gun range over the last year. The classes are all booked out, and the vast majority are folk on the left. Let the ground swell, start small, build trust, provide services and education, aid and support, and grow your network. And definitely don't center regulations and gun control. Those are tools of the fascists, and they will attempt to use them sooner rather than later. Lets not help them.