[Woahhs]

The ONLY weapon of mass distruction in those days were biological weapons, which were used by the fur traders (smallpox laden trade blankets).

Biologicals of the time could hardly be considered weapons in the military sense. At best, they could be considered poisons, and not very dependable ones at that. I'd be inclined to agree with your view if you could cite some militay campaigns in which biologicals were integrated into, and depended upon, for the execution of a battle plan.

Private citizens could and did own ALL the weapons the military had, including cannon.

Very true, but the thing that sets individual weapons apart from the military application of those weapons, insofar as their destructive potential, is their coordinated use to achieve BOTH tactical and strategic goals. The Romans demonstrated beyond argument the facility of the "soldier" over the "warrior."

[btcusn]

The ONLY weapon of mass destruction in those days were biological weapons, which were used by the fur traders (smallpox laden trade blankets).

Biologicals of the time could hardly be considered weapons in the military sense. At best, they could be considered poisons, and not very dependable ones at that. I'd be inclined to agree with your view if you could cite some military campaigns in which biologicals were integrated into, and depended upon, for the execution of a battle plan.

Private citizens could and did own ALL the weapons the military had, including cannon.

Very true, but the thing that sets individual weapons apart from the military application of those weapons, insofar as their destructive potential, is their coordinated use to achieve BOTH tactical and strategic goals. The Romans demonstrated beyond argument the facility of the "soldier" over the "warrior."

Sorry I quoted the entire post, but you are correct in every point, and I agree, I'm just so sick of hearing about WMD'S like they are a new thing, and pointing out that they were used many times before. But then, as now, the military is loath to use them since like a mad dog, they bite both sides equally.
And as to the second paragraph, I was pointing out the fact that private citizens were not limited in any way as to the weapons they owned other than cost, not whether or not the private citizen was the equal of a trained soldier or even if 12 citizens are the equal of a squad of trained soldiers, which they are not.Training will win out.

Jack

[El Gato]

The Romans demonstrated beyond argument the facility of the "soldier" over the "warrior."

Oh, yeah? Who is the Roman Emperor these days? Who sacked Rome? I know they weren't exactly the "Barbarian Hordes", but they were warriors.