An attorney for Michael Strickland, the 36-year-old man accused of pulling a gun on protesters in downtown Portland last month, entered not guilty pleas on his client's behalf to a 21-count indictment Friday.

The indictment charges Strickland, of Southeast Portland, with 10 counts of unlawful use of a weapon, 10 counts of menacing and one count of disorderly conduct.

The weapons charges are Class C felonies, and the menacing charges are misdemeanors.

Each unlawful use of a weapon charge accuses Strickland of attempting to use, and possessing with intent to use a firearm against another. Each menacing charge accuses Strickland of placing another person in fear of imminent serious physical injury.

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Trotter later said his client intends to challenge the indictment, arguing that Strickland pulled his gun in self defense after being attacked by members of the crowd.

"He was using the weapon to protect himself, and he was doing so within his rights,'' Trotter said.

Strickland's attorney argued that the case will rest on whether the Second Amendment allows his client to use his weapon to protect himself, since most of what occurred was caught on multiple videos.

"I think this case will be a litmus test for what does it mean to carry a gun in Portland, but not just in Portland, the state of Oregon,'' Trotter said. "I think it will be something the whole country needs to look at.''

Strickland was released from custody July 19, after posting 10 percent of his $250,000 bail. He's among 18 people who testified before the grand jury, according to the indictment.

His next court date is Sept. 23. The court has set Oct. 13 for a settlement conference.

The settlement conference wasn't sought by Strickland, his attorney noted.