I've never understood or liked the way American culture fetishises guns.
I have met American gun owners, and one of the most common arguments for widespread gun ownership was that it would prevent tyranny. That the people would rise against the oppressor, and they'd be well armed, and the would-be dictator would face a formidable resistance.
I had doubts about this argument then.
Nowadays, it seems to me that unarmed populations have been more willing to rise and depose their corrupt leaders.