It seems so as well as other weapons. However, they were on more equal footing than the general population is now.

Most of the population of america does not have access to the ridiculous armaments or vehicles that the military or other armed forces have, nor the legal authority to use them. Such is the monopoly of violence.

If they want this to work they need to be clever, plan well and use violence tactically, have access to technology and knowledge that will aid them, and do good opsec.