It would seem to me that, if I was to sign on to go overseas in a hostile enviornment, for whatever reason ... I'd at least be trained to watch out for and be prepared to protect myself.
When my daughter was a teenager, and we went out for a few hours, I left the loaded 9mm with her. She knows what to do and when and she was 16 or 17 at the time. (Forget the 'too young' flames ... I won't respond)
Totally different kind of contractors. They are doing routine business work in the oil industry.
As far as gun ownership, the Saudis restrict it.
d.o.l.
Criminal Number 18F