It reads and interprets how you want it too I suppose depending on the reader.
At it's best its a basic instruction sheet for a pop up country that relied on a belief the population would use it as a guide to build a safe and secure country for all.
I think they are just scared, if he has a gun and I don't I can't say nasty things to him and he can say them to me. Without the guns they are the same as you and me. With a gun, they are, in their mind tougher, bigger and they take no **** from no-one.
Being permanently scared is no good for no one and end up with people "Stocking up" on weapons'. Too scared to not have a gun and too scared to move to a country without guns.