Amendment Quote by Alex Kozinski
“The majority falls prey to the delusion–popular in some circles–that ordinary people are too careless and stupid to own guns, and we would be far better off leaving all weapons in the hands of professionals on the government payroll. But the simple truth–born of experience–is that tyranny thrives best where government need not fear the wrath of an armed people.”
About This Quote
Source Speech: Judicial Conference, 2015
The quote argues that ordinary people are capable of responsible gun ownership and that an armed populace deters governmental tyranny.
In simple terms: Ordinary people can own guns responsibly; an armed people curtails tyranny.
Key Takeaway
Support responsible gun rights.
Themes
responsibility
politics
freedom
Mood
cautious
defensive
Type
political
controversial
When to use this quote
- voting
- community safety
- self‑defense
- policy debate
Key Concepts
civil liberty
government power
citizen rights
Questions to Reflect On
- How can we balance gun rights with public safety?
- What safeguards prevent misuse?
A Different Perspective
An armed populace can also increase violence and instability.
![“Those who have the command of the arms in a country are masters of the state, and have it in their power to make what revolutions they please. [Thus,] there is no end to observations on the difference between the measures likely to be pursued by a minister backed by a standing army, and those of a…” quote by Aristotle](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/img-quotes/29b/aristotle-78_arms_those-who-have-the-command-of-the-arms-i_401262.jpg)
![“In a very real sense, the Constitution is our compact with history . . . [but] the Constitution can maintain that compact and serve as the lodestar of our political system only if its terms are binding on us. To the extent we depart from the document's language and rely instead on generalities…” quote by Alex Kozinski](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/img-quotes/57c/alex-kozinski-26609_between-the-lines_in-a-very-real-sense-the-constitution-is_1028882.jpg)
