Quotes from the Founding Fathers regarding Gun Control

QUOTES OF SOME OF THE FOUNDING FATHERS REGARDING THE INDIVIDUAL RIGHT TO KEEP AND BEAR 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."
U.S. Constitution, Amendment II

"THE people are not to be disarmed of their weapons. They are left in full possession of them"
(Zachariah Johnson)

"A MILITIA, when properly formed, are in fact the people them- selves...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..."
"No free government was ever founded, or ever preserved its liberty, without uniting the characters of the citizen and soldier in those destined for the defense of the state...Such area well-regulated militia, composed of the freeholders, citizen and husbandman, who take up arms to preserve their property, as individuals, and their rights as freemen"
(Richard Henry Lee)

"THE Right of the people to keep and bear...arms shall not be infringed. A well regulated militia, composed of the people, trained to arms, is the best and most natural defense of a free country..."
"CONGRESS shall never disarm any citizen unless such as are or have been in Actual Rebellion."
"AMERICANS have the right and advantage of being armed, unlike the citizens of other countries whose governments are afraid to trust the people with arms"
"Besides the advantage of being armed, which the Americans possess over the people of almost every other nation. ...Notwithstanding the military establishments in the several kingdoms of Europe, which are carried as far as the public resources will bear, the governments are afraid to trust the people with arms."
"the ultimate authority...resides in the people alone,"
(James Madison)

"I ask, sir, what is the militia? It is the whole people except for a few public officials."
"...to disarm the people (is) the best and most effective way to enslave them..."
"AMERICANS have the right and advantage of being armed..the Americans possess over the people of all other nations..Notwithstanding the military establishments in the several Kingdoms of Europe, which are carried as far as the public resources will bear, the governments are afraid to trust the people with arms."
"...the people have a right to keep and bear arms."
(George Mason)

"THE supposed quietude of a good man allures the ruffian; while on the other hand, arms like laws, discourage and keep the invader and the plunderer in awe, and preserve order in the world as well as property. The same balance would be preserved were all the world destitute of arms, for all would be alike; but since some will not, others dare not lay them aside...Horrid mischief would ensue were one half the world deprived of the use of them..."
"The supposed quietude of a good man allures the ruffian; while on the other hand, arms like laws discourage and keep the invader and the plunderer in awe, and preserve order in the world as well as property. The same balance would be preserved were all the world destitute of arms, for all would be alike; but since some will not, others dare not lay them aside... Horrid mischief would ensue were one half the world deprived the use of them..."
( Thomas Paine)

"FIREARMS stand next in importance to the Constitution itself. They are the American people's liberty teeth and keystone under independence...From the hour the Pilgrims landed to the present day, events, occurrences, and tendencies prove that to ensure peace, security, and happi- ness, 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's good."
"THERE is nothing so likely to produce peace as to be well prepared to meet the enemy."
"TO be prepared for war is one of the most effectual means of preserving peace."
(George Washington)

"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)

"The right of the people to keep and bear arms has been recognized by the General Government; but the best security of that right after all is, the military spirit, that taste for martial exercises, which has always distinguished the free citizens of these states...Such men form the best barrier to the liberties of America."
(Gazette of the United States, October 14, 1789)

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