Thomas Jefferson
"No free man shall ever be debarred the use of arms.
The strongest reason for the people to retain the right to keep and bear arms
is, as a last resort, to protect themselves against tyranny in
government." --Thomas Jefferson, proposed Virginia constitution, June
1776. Thomas Jefferson Papers, 334 (C. J. Boyd, Ed., 1950)
"Laws that forbid the carrying of arms disarm only
those who are neither inclined nor determined to commit crimes. Such laws make
things worse for the assaulted and better for the assailants; they serve rather
to encourage than prevent homicides, for an unarmed man may be attacked with
greater confidence than an armed man." --Thomas Jefferson, quoting 18th
century criminologist Cesare Beccaria in "On Crimes and Punishment",
1764
When the government fears the people, there is liberty. When
the people fear the government, there is tyranny --Thomas Jefferson
"And what country can preserve it's liberties, if the
rulers are not warned from time to time that this people preserve the spirit of
resistance? Let them take up arms. The tree of liberty must be refreshed from
time to time with the blood of patriots and tyrants." --Thomas Jefferson,
Letter to William S. Smith, 1787
"The Constitution of most of our states, and the United
States, assert that all power is inherent in the people; that they may exercise
it by themselves: that it is their right and duty to be at all times armed;
that they are entitled to freedom of person, freedom of religion, freedom of
property, and freedom of the press." Thomas Jefferson, Proposed Virginia
Constitution, 1776
Richard Henry Lee
"A militia when properly formed are in fact the people
themselves and include all men capable of bearing arms. To preserve liberty it
is essential that the whole body of people always possess arms and be taught
alike, especially when young, how to use them." Richard Henry Lee,
Initiator of the Declaration of Independence, and member of the first Senate,
which passed the Bill of Rights. Additional Letters From the Federal Farmer 53,
1788
James Madison
"The Constitution preserves the advantage of being
armed which Americans possess over the people of almost every other nation
where the governments are afraid to trust the people with arms." James Madison,
The Federalist No. 46
"The right of the people to keep and bear arms shall
not be infringed. A well regulated militia, composed of the body of people,
trained in arms, is the best and most natural defense of a free country."
--James Madison, I Annuals of Congress 434 (June 8, 1789)
George Mason
"I ask sir, what is the militia? It is the whole
people. To disarm the people is the best and most effectual way to enslave
them." --George Mason, during Virginia's ratification convention, 1788
Thomas Paine
"Arms discourage and keep the invader and plunderer in
awe, and preserve order in the world as well as property. Horrid mischief would
ensue were the law-abiding deprived the use of them." --Thomas Paine,
Thoughts on Defensive War, 1775
Noah Webster
"Before a standing army can rule, the people must be
disarmed; as they are in almost every kingdom of Europe. the supreme power in
America cannot enforce unjust laws by the sword; because the whole body of the
people are armed, and constitute a force superior to any bands of regular
troops that can be, on any pretense, raised in the United States." --Noah
Webster, An Examination into the Leading Principles of the federal Constitution
(1787) in Pamphlets to the Constitution of the United States (P. Ford, 1888).
George Washington
"A free people ought to be armed. When firearms go, all
goes, we need them by the hour. Firearms stand next to importance to the
Constitution itself. They are the American people's liberty teeth and keystone
under independence." --George Washington, Boston Independence Chronicle,
January 14, 1790
"To ensure peace, security, and happiness, the rifle
and pistol are equally indispensable. The very atmosphere of firearms
everywhere restrains evil interference - they deserve a place of honor with all
that is good." --George Washington, The Federalist No. 53
