Nashville ‘No Kings’ counter-protester faces federal firearm charge

The 19-year-old counter-protester arrested at the Nashville “No Kings” Rally for brandishing a firearm now faces a federal charge for unlawful possession of a firearm.

Federal authorities say Elijah Millar of Murfreesboro violated a court-ordered conservatorship that restricted his access to firearms.

The Rutherford County Chancery Court appointed an emergency conservator for Millar in 2023, finding him “at risk of substantial harm to his health, safety and welfare,” according to court documents. Another Chancery Court judge found Millar to be a “disabled person needing care” in September 2024 and issued an “Agreed Order of Limited Conservatorship” that restricted his access to firearms, according to the federal criminal complaint.

If convicted on the federal charge, he faces up to 15 years in federal prison and a fine of up to $250,000.

Nashville police arrested Millar at Bicentennial Capitol Mall State Park on June 14 after rally attendees notified police that he “was involved in heated arguments and spitting at people when he pulled out a gun that he pointed toward the ground, placing witnesses and others in the crowd in fear,” according to Metro Nashville police. 

Nashville police seized a 9 mm pistol from Millar, court documents state.

Millar was wearing a black hat and mask, sunglasses, fingerless gloves and a bright yellow tie, and carried a “Don’t Tread on Me” flag. He was charged with disorderly conduct and his bond was set at $1,500.

Davidson County General Sessions Court does not list an attorney of record for Millar.

Three days later, Murfreesboro Police Department Criminal Investigations Division detectives arrested Millar on three counts of carrying or possession of a weapon related to incidents on June 16 and in April 2025, according to a department news release. 

Police responded to a West Murfreesboro home after online reports alleged that Millar made suicidal statements, according to Murfreesboro police. Responding officers found a loaded 9mm handgun in Millar’s waistband and Millar was taken to the hospital for evaluation. 

Millar was charged on June 17 after being discharged from the hospital for violating the terms of his  conservatorship, according to Murfreesboro police.

The Federal Bureau of Investigation Joint Terrorism Task Force assisted Murfreesboro police in serving the warrant on the home. 

Millar is being held without bond at Rutherford County Adult Detention Center ahead of a July 21 hearing in General Sessions Court.

Millar is also scheduled to appear in Davidson County General Sessions Court on July 25.

“The right to peaceably protest government action is guaranteed by the First Amendment and cannot be infringed upon by armed individuals whose actions put people in danger,” Robert E. McGuire, acting U.S. attorney for the Middle District of Tennessee, stated in a news release. “Our efforts to hold firearm offenders accountable are designed to keep all members of the public safe from potential violence.”