I find myself wondering what happens if they find that appetite. Do I stay away and let others fight them? These mobs could vastly outnumber the defenders, and might pose a real threat to our country.

Would I personally have the conviction to kill someone who is trying to violently take control of the government?

I never thought I'd be asking myself this question, but here I am.

They sure do like to tell everyone that it's what they're "preparing for" though.

I remember a Canadian author a few years back (can't remember the name, sorry!) went to a Prepper-Con in the US. He wrote about a lot the classes on survival skills, the ubiquitous barrels of dehydrated corn, and the massive gun fetish. The best part, though, was the end. I'm paraphrasing, but he said that the thing all the other attendees needed wasn't a new hatchet or picatinny rail, rather negative 30 pounds and mile times under 15 minutes.

While I don't sympathise with their point of view you should be careful not to conflate the few loud/visible ones with the majority going there. Some might want civil war, others go for their friends want to take a stance or hope that this will somehow lead to a peaceful handover of power to 'their winner'.