Rittenhouse could get avoid conviction on charges of murder, and may even avoid being convicted entirely [1]. Honestly it’s possible he should. It does sound like self defence in an escalating situation. There are reports that he was harassed, and possibly attacked, first. Now, I am not on the jury, I have not heard all the evidence, and I am not familiar with US law.

The reason it escalated still needs looking at. The very presence of a gun changes how people think and act [2]. Carrying a gun made him a target in the first place. It probably changed how he reacted to the situation, and it definitely changed how people reacted to him.

Personally I think this trial is an indication that America’s gun laws, and specifically their open carry laws, need to be examined in light of the many behavioural studies that show how guns change behaviour.

[1] https://www.reuters.com/world/us/jury-decide-fate-shooter-kyle-rittenhouse-after-closing-arguments-2021-11-15/?taid=6192878a7ccf120001e29087&utm_campaign=trueAnthem:+Trending+Content&utm_medium=trueAnthem&utm_source=twitter
[2] https://science.howstuffworks.com/does-owning-a-gun-change-your-behavior-.htm