An authoritarian government with a military will always be stronger than any individual citizen, no matter now well armed he is. If I had to choose between giving up a democratic form of government and giving up second amendment rights, I would instantly pick the latter. I'm all for strength -- the United States should do what is necessary to remain the world's only superpower, and I strongly support second amendment rights. But our strengths should be in the service of our democratic republic. If R.J. Rummel is right (I posted a link to his website) then democracies keep the body count down both by avoiding war with each other, and by not killing as many of their citizens during peacetime.
you are right. i believe the fore fathers were well aware of this concept and that is a big reason they included the second amendment. when the government becomes totalitarian it is the right of the people to fight for their rights laid out for them in the bill of rights and the constitution.