You are very correct, that was a huge game changer that had the fed mercenary/contractors pissing their pants .. that fact has mostly slipped under the radar (or was shoved there) ... I was monitoring Camp Bundy ham radio comms during the standoff. My impression was that the snipers were not team-Bundy and a surprise to both sides, but had Bundy's six and prevented fed escalation as the contractors believed they'd only be up against some ranchers w walmart rifles