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
The powers not delegated to the United States by the Constitution, nor prohibited by it to the States, are reserved to the… — Joseph Story Copy Share Image
The militia, who are in fact the effective part of the people at large, will render many troops quite unecessary. They will… — Tench Coxe Copy Share Image
Such are a well regulated militia, composed of the freeholders, citizen and husbandman, who take up arms to preserve their property, as… — Marcus Tullius Cicero 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
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
A military force, at the command of Congress, can execute no laws, but such as the people perceive to be just and… — Noah Webster Copy Share Image
False is the idea of utility that sacrifices a thousand real advantages for one imaginary or trifling inconvenience; that would take fire… — Cesare Beccaria Copy Share Image
Who are the militia? They consist now of the whole people, except a few public officers. But I cannot say who will… — George Mason Copy Share Image
The prohibition is general. No clause in the Constitution could by any rule of construction be conceived to give to Congress a… — William Rawle 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
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
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
The militia is the natural defense of a free country against sudden foreign invasions, domestic insurrections, and domestic usurpation of power by… — Joseph Story 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
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
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
![“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/i/86a/alexander-hamilton-619_2-amendment_this-a-state-militia-system-appears-to-m_756387.jpg)
![“Who are the militia? They consist now of the whole people, except a few public officers. But I cannot say who will be the militia of the future day. If that paper on the table [the Constitution] gets no alteration, the militia of the future day may not consist of all classes, high and low, and…” quote by George Mason](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/5b8/george-mason-8435_2-amendment_who-are-the-militia-they-consist-now-of_1020490.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/i/ba9/george-mason-8435_2-amendment_when-the-resolution-of-enslaving-america_844300.jpg)
