User blog comment:MyOpinion:/Redwall's future/@comment-1669318-20100515191441

It makes sense that the Redwallers arn't progressing technologically, for several reasons. One, there are no centers of learning. Redwall isn't one, except maybe for the culinary arts. and neither is Salamandastron. If guns are going to be used at all, they need to discover gunpowder, which isn't likely.

Two, the Mossflower area isn't heavily populated, and Redwall and Salamandaston are self-sufficient, so there is little need for trade, and no reason to venture far beyond Mossflower, so even if there are groups that have developed guns, Redwall would probably never know.

Also, the fact that the Long Patrol has developed sabres dosn't mean a thing. Sabres are a type of sword. To develop sabres you need to know how to make swords, but to make a gun, you need to have gunpowder, among other things.