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Message: <blockquote data-quote="Storm Raven" data-source="post: 1193840" data-attributes="member: 307">No, but many would. In many parts of the pre-modern era, not only were significant weapons of war avaialable as commercial products, they were commonly available. Think, for example, in the era of wooden ships, how many armed merchantmen plied the seas, loaded to the brim with the then apex of modern military technology of the time: cannon. In the pre-modern era, most armies were comprised heavily of hired mercenaries, who had access to large volumes of military technology.Just about any mercantile based culture is going to have widespread trade in military technology, because it is difficult to keep such things off the market. Even in non-mercantile societies, trade in military goods is going to crop up unless there is no competition among rivals for power. In the Roman era (a time when you would think private control of military equipment would be limited), many private citizens were able to fund their own private fleets and small armies for various purposes.What you say is true in some cases, and not in others. Private citizens in the U.S. are allowed to purchase most forms of high tech surveillance equipment. Private citizens in many parts of the world have easy access to volumes of military technology. In many cases, governments of all stripes (for political reasons) give military equipment to private citizens who form private armies for various purposes.Selling military equipment, and even military commands was a huge source of revenue for feudal lords. Trade in military goods was widespread at almost every point in our history. Why do you assume that in a fantasy world this would not be so?</blockquote>

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