Because a population that vastly outnumbers the state’s goons, and who possess enough weapons
Because a population that vastly outnumbers the state’s goons, and who possess enough weapons to constitute an army (or a…militia) are a threat to would-be tyrants. It’s a lot harder to keep a boot on the necks of your deplorables when that deplorable, his wife, his kids, his neighbors, his co-workers, and any random passerby who gets offended by his treatment could shoot you for it. -- source link