The problem I and many others had against Bellesiles work is it flies to the oppposite of history and common sense. How is it possible for Americans to exist safely on a hostile frontier without weapons to defend themseves? The frontier was not a myth. It existed from the moment the first English colonists set foot on the New World. Hostilities with the Indians began shortly after Jamestown was founded. In fact, in 1622, the first major war occured with over 300 colonists killed.
I recently watched a History Channel documentary on the Mountain Men of the Rocky Mountains. Their hayday was in the 1820's and 30's. ALL were armed. To hunt beaver in Indian Country without a firearm would have been suicide. Bellesiles was and is a liar.