Best option:
Armed Populace, but no gun culture. (Leads to actually weary government)
Worse option:
Unarmed Populace, that is constantly told its unarmed. (Leads to more people being willing to embrace outside the box thinking)
Worst option:
Armed Populace but permanent emphasis on gun culture. (Leads to "Eventually I will do something" Syndrome.)

RT: https://poa.st/objects/a149cb9c-e4f3-4a9e-999a-6c3240d0249d