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Our Founders were quite clear. Many people try to “clarify” these quotes, in the interest in diminishing the meaning of our second amendment. Others, who hate self-defense, or are possessed by an irrational hatred or fear of guns can deny all day long. BUT, let the Founders be heard
“… 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.
“Experience hath shewn, that even under the best forms [of government] those entrusted with power have, in time, and by slow operations, perverted it into tyranny.” -Thomas Jefferson, Bill for the More General diffusion of Knowledge (1778).
“The best we can hope for concerning the people at large is that they be properly armed.” -Alexander Hamilton, The Federalist Papers p. 184-B.
“Guard with jealous attention the public liberty. Suspect everyone who approaches that jewel. Unfortunately, nothing will preserve it but downright force. Whenever you give up that force, you are ruined…The great object is that every man be armed. Everyone who is able might have a gun. -Patrick Henry.
“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…” -Richard Henry Lee writing in Letters from the Federal Farmer to the Republic (1787-1788).
“The Constitution shall never be construed to authorize Congress to prevent the people of the United States, who are peaceable citizens, from keeping their own arms.” -Samuel Adams, debates & Proceedings in the Convention of the Commonwealth of Massachusetts, 86-87.
“The people are nor to be disarmed of their weapons. They are left in full possession of them.” -Zachariah Johnson, 3 Elliot, Debates at 646.
“If the representatives of the people betray their constituents, there is then no recourse left but in the exertion of that original right of self defense which is paramount to all positive forms of government,..” – Alexander Hamilton, The Federalist Papers #2.
“…to disarm the people (is) the best and most effective way to enslave them… ” (George Mason, 3 Elliot, Debates at 380)
“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)
“A free people ought…to be armed… ” (George Washington, speech of January 7, 1790 in the Boston Independent Chronicle, January 14, 1790)
“The great object is that every man be armed. Everyone who is able may have a gun. ” (Patrick Henry, in the Virginia Convention on the ratification of the Constitution.)[1]
“Are we at last brought to such humiliating and debasing degradation, that we cannot be trusted with arms for our defense? Where is the difference between having our arms in possession and under our direction, and having them under the management of Congress? If our defense be the _real_ object of having those arms, in whose hands can they be trusted with more propriety, or equal safety to us, as in our own hands? ” (Patrick Henery)[8]
So many more at the link! To be exceedingly clear. If that liberty dies, all the other freedoms go along with it!
