[Oni]

Britan has some pretty tight gun laws, most policemen don't have guns. Didn't stop us from putting up one hell of a riot when we thought a kid had been wrongly abused.

And yes, an M1919 browning would likely down a plane. Wouldn't sink a ship, realistically. It has the same problem as privately owned warships and warplanes, though, being the prohibitively high price tag. At around 400 million for the newest fighter jets, and much more for warships, we'll always be outgunned by state-backed military.

As you say, a large amount of people fighting for a cause can be very powerful. That is why I am saying I would like our citizens to be armed. It is more efficient to use firearms and makes it harder for the government to abuse its power. The riots ended for a reason. Unfortunately, in this situation force and violence are the most effective means to preventing corruption. Not to be wishy-washy, but in the scenario you are giving me it is unlikely people would fight face-to-face with the military. Guerilla warfare tactics would likely be utilized. Also, it is possible for an m1919 to sink a ship, although it would be notably hard to do (unless it was carrying fuel or other vehicles).

While an elementary school full of dead children is horrifying, I find unarmed and defenseless citizens to be more horrifying. In the event a government becomes corrupt, it is much better for the citizens to be armed than not. Am I wrong?