Only if a dictator is corrupt or isn't doing any good for his/her people
The British won the battle of Baltimore and Fort McHenry.
Civilians did things such as mend clothing for soldiers, make ammunition from household silver, and many women followed their husbands to the battlefield where they washed, mended, and cooked for troops. Very few were able to fight in combat, but some women did.
The leaders in Africa wanted guns but the
slaves themselves wanted guns to protect
themselves from being captured and sold into slavery. All the guns were being sold by EU and Americas.