How did that work out for the people of Hong Kong? The govt laughed at them with their signs and umbrellas. Now they can be shipped off for posting a tweet the CPP doesnt like.

On a grander scope, notice how Taiwan has not been invaded by China despite their decades of rhetoric. They're armed, the price is high and the move would be risky.

And no you dont just pray at the time you need a weapon and it pops up in your hands. That's not how things logistically work. Also a big part of it is an ongoing cognitive deterrence. That doesnt happen when people dont have them at the present time.