Protesters accepted the open carry of firearms as a provision of safety.
Members of the self-described anti-fascist, anti-racist, and pro-worker Puget Sound John Brown Gun Club (PSJBGC) were reported on June 9 as carrying rifles in the zone.
Although the zone fell within the restricted area subject to Mayor Durkan's May 30 emergency order prohibiting the use of weapons including guns, her ban did not mandate enforcement.
The Washington Post reported on June 12 that PSJBGC was on site but with no weapons visible, and USA Today the same day reported that "no one appeared armed with a gun".
Reporters from a Tacoma-based Fox affiliate were chased out of the zone by occupants on June 9.

During the occupation, area businesses hired private protection services, including Iconic Global, Homeland Patrol Division, and Fortress Security, that deployed men and women, some in uniform and others in plain clothes, armed with AR-15 style rifles and pepper spray, to patrol the zone on foot and in SUVs.
Volunteers within the area also formed an informal group to provide security, with an emphasis on de-escalation tactics and preventing vandalism.

On June 15, KIRO-TV reported a break-in and fire at an auto shop located near the zone, to which the SPD did not respond; Police Chief Best later stated that officers observed the building from a distance and saw no sign of disturbance.
On June 16, Seattle's KIRO-TV quoted an eight-year tenant of an apartment near the East Precinct as saying, "We are just sitting ducks all day.
Now every criminal in the city knows they can come into this area and they can do anything they want as long as it isn't life-threatening, and the police won't come in to do anything about it."
Frustrated by blocked streets, criminal behavior, and lawlessness, some residents temporarily moved out and others installed security cameras.
A man who said he "100 percent" supports the protest told KOMO-TV: "I don't even feel safe anymore."
 

On June 18, a volunteer medic intervened during a sexual assault within a tent inside the occupied park area which resulted in the arrest of the alleged perpetrator.
That same day, NPR reported, "Nobody inside the protest zone thinks a police return would end peacefully.
Small teams of armed anti-fascists are also present, self-proclaimed community defense forces who say they're ready to fight if needed but that de-escalation is preferred."
Protesters accepted the open carry of firearms as a provision of safety. Members of the self-described anti-fascist, anti-racist, and pro-worker Puget Sound John Brown Gun Club (PSJBGC) were reported on June 9 as carrying rifles in the zone. Although the zone fell within the restricted area subject to Mayor Durkan's May 30 emergency order prohibiting the use of weapons including guns, her ban did not mandate enforcement. The Washington Post reported on June 12 that PSJBGC was on site but with no weapons visible, and USA Today the same day reported that "no one appeared armed with a gun". Reporters from a Tacoma-based Fox affiliate were chased out of the zone by occupants on June 9.
During the occupation, area businesses hired private protection services, including Iconic Global, Homeland Patrol Division, and Fortress Security, that deployed men and women, some in uniform and others in plain clothes, armed with AR-15 style rifles and pepper spray, to patrol the zone on foot and in SUVs. Volunteers within the area also formed an informal group to provide security, with an emphasis on de-escalation tactics and preventing vandalism. 
On June 15, KIRO-TV reported a break-in and fire at an auto shop located near the zone, to which the SPD did not respond; Police Chief Best later stated that officers observed the building from a distance and saw no sign of disturbance. On June 16, Seattle's KIRO-TV quoted an eight-year tenant of an apartment near the East Precinct as saying, "We are just sitting ducks all day. Now every criminal in the city knows they can come into this area and they can do anything they want as long as it isn't life-threatening, and the police won't come in to do anything about it." Frustrated by blocked streets, criminal behavior, and lawlessness, some residents temporarily moved out and others installed security cameras. A man who said he "100 percent" supports the protest told KOMO-TV: "I don't even feel safe anymore."  

On June 18, a volunteer medic intervened during a sexual assault within a tent inside the occupied park area which resulted in the arrest of the alleged perpetrator. That same day, NPR reported, "Nobody inside the protest zone thinks a police return would end peacefully. Small teams of armed anti-fascists are also present, self-proclaimed community defense forces who say they're ready to fight if needed but that de-escalation is preferred."
Capitol Hill Autonomous Zone