Socially funded and democratically directed armed forces. Not armed individuals.
Armed individuals who think they are the bulwarks of society, are generally more of a danger to it.
Discussion
I beg to differ. "Armed individuals who think they are the bulwarks of society" created this country (US that is) . Did we all democratically decided to be Police of the world? Fighting wars on foreign soils we have no business to be in?
Protecting your country is an honorable thing. Protecting your Family is your duty. Armed individuals are security and protection from being subjected individuals to so called "socially funded and democratically funded" ruling class that has a tendency to become totalitarian beast. Just my humble opinion.
Isn't educating yourself, organizing communities, collaborating to solve problems and provide mutual support, and taking the lessons learned to influence and shape your wider society, also defending your country.
Or were you hoping for something much easier? Like shouting about how unfair the world is, and pointing a gun.
Of course it's easier, but a waste of time to achieve what you say that you want. Because individual action, however big the dog, will never achieve anything lasting.
It's not the gun that shaped America. It's communities coming together to provide safely from the tyranny of armed criminals and bullies, and building a Democratic society on the back of those communities.