[dendriti]

OK so not actually guns but "government" then. Not as dramatic though.

OP is likely the same kind of person who calls taxes "theft" for rhetorical purposes.

[nostromo]

How do you think governments force people to do things they otherwise wouldn’t do?

[theossuary]

Using people. Governments have been powerful far longer than guns have existed.

[devmunchies]

> using people

You mean violence. Physical force. In that context, the means is irrelevant and pedantic.

[Dylan16807]

So why specify guns?

Especially when they're so rarely used in situations like this.

[lazide]

Used? Sure. You don’t need to use it when everyone knows what will happen. The presence is enough 99% of the time.

Or are you saying cops don’t have real pistols in their holsters, and agents just pretend to be armed on those raids?

[Dylan16807]

A white collar raid doesn't need to bring guns.

[smegger001]

because most governments quit using swords long enough ago that guns are now the symbol representing violent force.

[alvah]

It’s a widely-used aphorism for governments’ monopoly on violence, which, as others have pointed out, is ultimately how governments get people to do things they otherwise wouldn’t do.

[CydeWeys]

What do you think they were using before guns? Hint: it's whatever weapons were commonplace at the time.

[headsoup]

And what do said people threaten to use to maintain that control?

[ffhhj]

Ants. Ants that bite people buried in sand up to the neck. These Bahamian islanders aren't playing games.

[bigyikes]

What are the people holding if you resist with enough strength?

[perfecthjrjth]

no "government" is possible without mononpoly on violence.