It's more or less the local police realize they're so outnumbered and (relatively) outgunned that they'd lose too many bodies for it to be worth enforcing. We elect our sheriffs, so there's political pressure to actually do the right thing/represent their constituents.
Truly, there's nothing more frightening than a population that's pissed and armed to the teeth.
Your country was lost the moment you let them take your guns.
We fought a revolution over it.
Now you are prisoners begging your owners for a bit of freedom.
Get your guns back. You're surrounded by an ocean, it's not hard to bring them in.
Then you can be free.
Ammunition would be a big issue. Advances in polymer casings would definitely help, but would still need bullets, primers and powder.
Trip to the hardware store can solve the lack of guns issue, pay cash and not all at once, easy day.
If it wasn't for ITAR and Customs, the US could play the French in the Aussie Revolution.
It's more or less the local police realize they're so outnumbered and (relatively) outgunned that they'd lose too many bodies for it to be worth enforcing. We elect our sheriffs, so there's political pressure to actually do the right thing/represent their constituents.
Truly, there's nothing more frightening than a population that's pissed and armed to the teeth.
Just for your reference: https://en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/Battle_of_Athens_(1946).
Keep the fighting spirit alive and you'll make it through.