The world is getting ugly.

Maybe it’s not the world. Maybe it’s just our country that’s getting pretty ugly. Yesterday, I wrote about Maxine Waters calling on supporters to actively harass Trump administration officials. She made it very clear that people she disagrees with have no business trying to have a real life. She wants them cut off from the outside world as much as possible.

Well, some other people are being harassed, but these aren’t political appointees. No, these are people who are being not just harassed but threatened, because they work for an agency that side has decided to hate.

The acting deputy secretary of homeland security warned employees Saturday that “there may be a heightened threat” against them, according to a memo obtained by CBS News. The warning comes amid the increasing furor over the Trump administration’s “zero tolerance” immigration policy.

“This assessment is based on specific and credible threats that have been levied against certain DHS employees and a sharp increase in the overall number of general threats against DHS employees — although the veracity of each threat varies,” says the message from Claire M. Grady. “In addition, over the last few days, thousands of employees have had their personally identifiable information publically [sic] released on social media.”

The memo recommends numerous safety precautions, including not displaying work badges in public, being careful with public conversations and using caution on all social networks. It also recommends DHS employees “always keep doors and windows locked” and “be aware of unexpected changes in and around your home.”

DHS employees are encouraged to call 911 if they feel threatened and if local law enforcement doesn’t respond, to call Federal Protective Service.

This follows a list that was published on the internet that gave out the identities of 9,000 DHS employees, making this kind of targeted harassment and threatening campaign that much more simple.

However, trying to avoid identifying yourself as working for DHS is only part of an effective strategy. Some are advising employees to be armed.

“There are simply not enough police in D.C. or Virginia or Maryland to protect all Trump officials at their homes and when they go out to restaurants. Getting a concealed handgun permit would be helpful to protect themselves and their family,” said John R. Lott Jr., president of the influential Crime Prevention Research Center.

“High level officials in the Trump administration, especially if their faces are likely to be recognized by many in the public as a result of appearances on TV, might want to consider applying for a license to carry a concealed weapon in the District of Columbia, and/or other states they frequent, in view of the call by Rep. Maxine Waters for the public to ‘absolutely harass’ these officials in public places, and other recent events indicating the increased danger they are in,” added public interest law professor John Banzhaf.

Frankly, I echo the sentiment.

Trying to avoid identifying yourself as a DHS employee is a good first start, though it’s one that shouldn’t remotely be necessary. However, counting on that and 911 to keep you safe may well set you up for painful and potentially fatal disappointment. If someone’s going to act, there may not be enough time for the local police to arrive.

However, a 9mm round typically travels at more than 1,200 feet per second.

Every living human being has a right to self-defense. This is a basic human right. Employees of federal agencies don’t give up that right as part of their employment contract. If they’re concerned about their safety, this isn’t something they should outsource to the government. If they can afford to hire bodyguards, so be it, but unless they’re a top-level honcho at DHS, they probably can’t.

Get a gun, learn how to use it as quickly as you can, and get your permit so you can carry it where needed.

These people are unhinged. Sane people don’t threaten harm against federal employees for doing their job. Period. As a result of that, only a fool counts on unhinged people to act rationally in the long run. It only takes one to go beyond making threats, after all… unless you’re in a position to make them instantly regret their decision with a 124-grain surprise (or whatever caliber).