The Constitution be never construed to authorize Congress to infringe the just liberty of the press, or the rights of conscience; or to prevent the people of the United States, who are peaceable citizens, from keeping their own arms.
A well-regulated militia, being necessary to the security of a free state, the right of the people to keep and bear arms shall not be infringed.
A well regulated Militia, being necessary to the security of a free State, the right of the people to keep and bear arms, shall not be infringed. - Second Amendment to the Constitution An armed society is a polite society.
To preserve liberty, it is essential that the whole body of people always possess arms.
To disarm the people... was the best and most effectual way to enslave them.
I ask, sir, what is the militia? It is the whole people except for a few public officials.
Before a standing army can rule, the people must be disarmed, as they are in almost every country in Europe.
What country can preserve its liberties if its rulers are not warned from time to time that their people preserve the spirit of resistance? Let them take arms.
That the said Constitution shall never be construed to authorize Congress to infringe the just liberty of the press or the rights of conscience.
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 band of regular troops that can be, on any pretence, raised in the United States.
The great object is that every man be armed.
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 to prevent homicides, for an unarmed man may be attacked with greater confidence than an armed man.
For an unarmed man may be attacked with greater confidence than an armed man.
Laws that forbid the carrying of arms disarm only those who are neither inclined nor determined to commit crimes.
Militias, 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 the people always possess arms and be taught alike, especially when young, how to use them.
The constitutions of most of our States assert that all power is inherent in the people; that... it is their right and duty to be at all times armed.
Are we at last brought to such an humiliating and debasing degradation, that we cannot be trusted with arms for our defense?
All power is inherent in the people.
Arms, like laws, discourage and keep the invader and plunderer in awe and preserve order.
A militia, when properly formed, are in fact the people themselves... and include all men capable of bearing arms.
or simply:
