Elijah Millar, a 19-year-old resident of Murfreesboro, Tennessee, has been charged with unlawful possession of a firearm following an incident at a "No Kings" protest in Nashville. The announcement was made by Robert E. McGuire, Acting United States Attorney for the Middle District of Tennessee.
Court documents reveal that on June 14, 2025, Millar attended the protest near Bicentennial Mall dressed in black and wearing a mask. Witnesses reported to law enforcement that he informed protesters about his firearm, spat at them, yelled at them, and brandished the weapon. Officers from the Metropolitan Nashville Police Department (MNPD) approached Millar, disarmed him, and arrested him on site. A Sig Sauer 9mm pistol was confiscated during this arrest. Later interactions with Murfreesboro Police led to the recovery of another loaded 9mm firearm from Millar's waistband.
The federal criminal complaint states that in 2023, an emergency conservator was appointed for Millar by the Chancery Court in Rutherford County due to concerns over his health and safety. This order prohibited him from possessing firearms. In September 2024, further restrictions were placed under an "Agreed Order of Limited Conservatorship," classifying him as a "disabled person needing care."
Acting United States Attorney Robert E. McGuire commented on the situation: “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.” He emphasized efforts to hold firearm offenders accountable for public safety.
If convicted of these charges, Millar could face up to 15 years in federal prison along with a maximum fine of $250,000.
The case is under investigation by multiple agencies including the Federal Bureau of Investigation's Nashville Field Office, MNPD, and Murfreesboro Police Department. Assistant U.S. Attorneys Joshua A. Kurtzman and Kathryn Risinger are handling prosecution duties.
It is important to note that a complaint remains an allegation until proven otherwise in court.