I saw a play at the courthouse a few years ago, and according to the script they had all the munitions locked up in an armory. Her advisors begged her to turn over the keys but she refused because she didn't want anyone to die and figured that she could appeal to the US government for relief.
If that's true then it points out an important factor of the second amendment, which is that arms distributed amongst the population are a far more effective deterrent against invasion, specifically because it's a safeguard against compromised leadership.
Awesome point. I didn’t intend to make this a major topic, but after learning Hawaiian history at UH back when I was considerably better looking (of course in a completely relative way …), this thing has gnawed at me.
What I wish the conversation was like is:
“Dude, you want me to march my Marines up King Street, past the palace, flanked by a few hundred armed kanakas on either side, as a show force, because you can’t come to an understanding with a Queen who truly loves her people, and they love her right back, because you want to make sure you can continue to live in the high manner to which you’ve become accustomed? Is THAT what you’re asking me?
“Indeed sir, yes.”
“Go fuck yourself.”
So yet another interesting aspect of the 2A, is that, as you point out, by placing a check on government officials, it can effectively deter the commission of atrocities, political or violent.