The average American citizen was better armed than the military up until 1956.
When the army used flintlock smooth bores, civilians had rifles.
When the army had a flintlock rifle, civilians had percussion cap rifles.
When the army adopted a percussion cap rifle, civilians had breech loaders.
When the army adopted a breech loader, civilians were using lever action rapid fire rifles, slide action rifles and bolt action rifles.
When the army adopted a bolt action rifle, civilians were using semi auto rifles and were experimenting with full auto rifles.
When the army adopted a clip fed semi auto, civilians were using box feed semi auto rifles.
When the army adopted a box magazine full auto rifle (M-14) civilians fell behind.
During all that time cops NEVER felt outgunned by civilians.
Now we hear “WE ARE OUTGUNNED!” all the time in attempts to remove what semi auto rifles we have from our possession.
You are right of course. If you watch the great Peckinpah flick Ride the High Country you will see Warren Oates shooting a Remington Model 8. The first mass produced semi auto rifle in 1906. It was widely available especially in the hunting 35 caliber. (Not to be confused as being larger than the 30 aught six)
Last time I checked, cops were civilians, and the 2nd amendment was intended to insure that we civilians always maintained the weapons necessary to counter an out of control imperial federal government.