Comment by majormajor

Got some specific recent oversteps that were prevented by armed citizens in mind? Or are you just talking about ancient history or on-paper theory?

The government in the US has far bigger guns than the citizenry these days.

The only thing that will ever prevent a government from abusing its populace is the willingness of actors of the state - police and soldiers - to say no to abusive orders. Independent thinking coupled with believing in the people more than the executive is the only thing that will ever keep us safe. Guns are not defensive tools. The state can shoot you before you shoot them if they decide they don't like what you're doing.

Put guns in the hands of the people you're policing and you just make it that much easier for the police/soldiers/govt sympathizers to make it us-against-them and side with the totalitarians.