That doesn't seem like a solid example at all. North Korea was quite capable of running a dictatorship since circa 1948. It seems from a quick read around that

That doesn't seem like a solid example at all. North Korea was quite capable of running a dictatorship since circa 1948. It seems from a quick read around that they brought in gun controls in 2009. It sounds to me that it is perfectly possible to oppress a country with or without gin control.