God forbid we should ever be twenty years without such a rebellion. — Thomas Jefferson Copy Share Image
I ask you sir, who are the militia? They consist now of the whole people. — George Mason Copy Share Image
A free people ought not only to be armed, but disciplined; to which end a uniform and well-digested plan is requisite — George Washington Copy Share Image
To preserve liberty, it is essential that the whole body of people always possess arms... — Richard Henry Lee Copy Share Image
A sword by itself does not slay; it is merely the weapon used by the slayer. — Seneca the Younger Copy Share Image
Laws that forbid the carrying of arms disarm only those who are neither inclined nor determined to commit crimes. — Thomas Jefferson Copy Share Image
Arms in the hands of citizens may be used at individual discretion... in private self-defense. — John Adams Copy Share Image
For an unarmed man may be attacked with greater confidence than an armed man. — Thomas Jefferson Copy Share Image
Little more can reasonably be aimed at with respect to the people at large than to have them properly armed. — Alexander Hamilton Copy Share Image
If I could have gotten 51 votes in the Senate of the United States for an outright ban, picking up every one… — Dianne Feinstein Copy Share Image
This [a state militia system] appears to me the only substitute that can be devised for a standing army, and the best… — Alexander Hamilton Copy Share Image
That the said Constitution shall never be construed to authorize Congress to infringe the just liberty of the press or the rights… — John Adams Copy Share Image
If the representatives of the people betray their constituents, there is then no recourse left but in the exertion of that original… — Alexander Hamilton Copy Share Image
The Constitution be never construed to authorize Congress to infringe the just liberty of the press, or the rights of conscience; or… — Samuel Adams Copy Share Image
Wherever standing armies are kept up, and when the right of the people to keep and bear arms is, under any color… — St. George Tucker Copy Share Image
What country can preserve its liberties if its rulers are not warned from time to time that their people preserve the spirit… — Thomas Jefferson Copy Share Image
...that standing army can never be formidable (threatening) to the liberties of the people, while there is a large body of citizens,… — Alexander Hamilton Copy Share Image
When the resolution of enslaving America was formed in Great Britain, the British parliament was advised by an artful man [Sir William… — George Mason Copy Share Image
Before a standing army can rule, the people must be disarmed; as they are in almost every kingdom of Europe. The supreme… — Noah Webster Copy Share Image
We established however some, although not all its [self-government] important principles . The constitutions of most of our States assert, that all… — Thomas Jefferson Copy Share Image
Laws that forbid the carrying of arms . . . disarm only those who are neither inclined nor determined to commit crimes… — Thomas Jefferson Copy Share Image
It is not certain that with this aid alone [possession of arms], they would not be able to shake off their yokes.… — James Madison Copy Share Image
The laws that forbid the carrying of arms...disarm only those who are neither inclined nor determined to commit crimes. Can it be… — Cesare Beccaria Copy Share Image
A well-regulated militia, composed of the body of the people, trained to arms, is the proper, natural, and safe defense of a… — George Mason Copy Share Image
If gun laws in fact worked, the sponsors of this type of legislation should have no difficulty drawing upon long lists of… — Orrin Hatch Copy Share Image
And that the said Constitution be never construed to authorize Congress to infringe the just liberty of the press, or the rights… — Samuel Adams Copy Share Image
Before a standing army can rule, the people must be disarmed, as they are in almost every country in Europe. — Noah Webster Copy Share Image
To disarm the people... was the best and most effectual way to enslave them. — George Mason Copy Share Image
As civil rulers, not having their duty to the people duly before them, may attempt to tyrannize,... The people are confirmed by… — Tench Coxe Copy Share Image
Militias, when properly formed, are in fact the people themselves and include all men capable of bearing arms. [...] To preserve liberty… — Richard Henry Lee Copy Share Image
Who are the militia? Are they not ourselves? Is it feared, then, that we shall turn our arms each man gainst his… — Tench Coxe Copy Share Image
A well regulated Militia, being necessary to the security of a free State, the right of the people to keep and bear… — Robert A. Heinlein Copy Share Image
The constitutions of most of our States assert, that all power is inherent in the people; that they may exercise it by… — Thomas Jefferson Copy Share Image
To suppose arms in the hands of citizens, to be used at individual discretion, except in private self-defense, or by partial orders… — John Adams Copy Share Image
![“This [a state militia system] appears to me the only substitute that can be devised for a standing army, and the best possible security against it, if it should exist.” quote by Alexander Hamilton](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/img-quotes/86a/alexander-hamilton-619_2-amendment_this-a-state-militia-system-appears-to-m_756387.jpg)
![“When the resolution of enslaving America was formed in Great Britain, the British parliament was advised by an artful man [Sir William Keith], who was governor of Pennsylvania, to disarm the people. That it was the best and most effectual way to enslave them. But that they should not do it openly…” quote by George Mason](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/img-quotes/ba9/george-mason-8435_2-amendment_when-the-resolution-of-enslaving-america_844300.jpg)
![“We established however some, although not all its [self-government] important principles . The constitutions of most of our States assert, that all power is inherent in the people; that they may exercise it by themselves, in all cases to which they think themselves competent, (as in electing their…” quote by Thomas Jefferson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/img-quotes/9c2/thomas-jefferson-43_2-amendment_we-established-however-some-although-not_2082638.jpg)
![“It is not certain that with this aid alone [possession of arms], they would not be able to shake off their yokes. But were the people to posses the additional advantages of local governments chosen by themselves, who could collect the national will, and direct the national force; and of officers…” quote by James Madison](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/img-quotes/07a/james-madison-373_2-amendment_it-is-not-certain-that-with-this-aid-alo_1101340.jpg)
![“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.” quote by Richard Henry Lee](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/img-quotes/4cf/richard-henry-lee-32108_2-amendment_militias-when-properly-formed-are-in-fac_1843730.jpg)
