Of coarse they were lots of weapons were used by people to kill each other. And just like guns civilians with with access to the most powerful weapons of the time were free of tyranny. Heres a good quote:

The people of the various provinces are strictly forbidden to have in their possession any swords, short swords, bows, spears, or other types of arms. The possession of unnecessary implements makes difficult the collection of taxes and dues and tends to foment uprisings.

-- Toyotomi Hideyoshi, dictator of Japan, August 1588

They also proved good in defending yourself from the violence that was around (and still is really) back in the day when the police or guards couldn't.