During the reign of the Bonnot Gang in France, they were way out ahead of the French Army and Gendarme in terms of mobility and firepower. The army was still riding horses and the police were using bicycles, while the gang was using stolen automobiles to grab the loot, kill any innocent people they needed to kill, and then flee to a hideout or a whorehouse. Early in their career they heisted automatic weapons while the army and police were still using bolt action garbage and revolvers. It's why they were able to operate so long. American anarchists like the Dillinger Gang and Bonnie and Clyde benefitted from their example..