So, carrying a weapon to a gun fight is not "wielding guns" because they are "holstered side arms"? And let me ask you this, SPS Tools: What word instead of "wielding" would you use for a large number of white supremacists with "holstered side arms" walking down a street in a major, mostly liberal, college town?
BTW: They were also wielding - oops, I mean carrying - rifles (not holstered).

The White Nationalists "... are not stupid." You might get a whole lot of  disagreement there.
"Helmets & shields seem appropriate attire" for battle, not a peaceful protest.
And you asked: "Additionally, what would you say about a military group (VMI?) marching in a parade with helmets & rifles?" First of all, I'd say those rifles had no ammunition, and these groups would never conceive of a confrontation of any kind. And VMI students marching in formation are way different than a bunch of nimrods swaggering down the street with clubs, guns, and racist banners, emblems and other vile paraphernalia.