ah that moment you notice its easier to keep people in control when you make then powerless, following history here, at least you have good intent and is trying to develop not only your riches but also your comunity union and knowledge, at very least you know and take care to keep a deterrent, I can take some guesses on how you are keeping people around in good term, some trade and defense pacts do wonders.I like the suspense and mystery...
but unfortunally that can't translate in today society, you very least are trying in good faith improve your land, politicians today only care about keep they money and power, plus we know very well laws ARE broken daily, some minor, others no so much, in case of weapons, banning weapons will not prevent criminals from using then, but it WILL make then bolder, knowing they targets can't protect thenselfs (remember the deterrent here also works), sometimes you don't need to use a weapon, your enemy knowing you own said weapon, and is willing to use is what make it work, if you own a weapon but your enemy knows you will not use it, be by being afraid or can't on said moment will make the attack come.
today letting goverment and people in power keep all means of protection, not only force you to depend on someone who don't care about you, makes you a slave for a illussion of segurity, with is shatered daily when you know someone was mugged or robbed, most people belive police is protection, its not, the best is a remedy, at worse is a tool from state to keep people in control