Perhaps I've misinterpreted your usage of "last line of defense"?
These aren't regular conservatives that we're dealing with. MAGA is a fascist movement. The MO of fascists is to gain and hold power for their in-group by any means necessary. While it should never be our first option, we need to be willing and able to violently resist them, because they sure as hell don't have any qualms about violently subjugating us.