Establishment Quote by James Madison

An armed and trained militia is the firmest bulwark of republics - that without standing armies their liberty can never be in danger, nor…

— James Madison

I expect we shall be told, that the Militia of the country is its natural bulwark, and would be at all times equal to…

— Alexander Hamilton

The militia is the natural defense of a free country against sudden foreign invasions, domestic insurrections, and domestic usurpations of power by rulers. It…

— Joseph Story

A well-regulated militia, composed of the body of the people, trained to arms, is the proper, natural, and safe defense of a free state;…

— George Mason

Over grown military establishments are under any form of government inauspicious to liberty, and are to be regarded as particularly hostile to republican liberty.

— George Washington

It is always dangerous to the liberties of the people to have an army stationed among them, over which they have no control ...…

— Samuel Adams

It is asserted by most respectable writers upon our government, that a well-regulated militia, composed of the yeomanry of the country, have ever been…

— John L. DeWitt

...to support the Constitution, which is the cement of the Union, as well in its limitations as in its authorities; to respect the rights…

— James Madison

The 'militia' was the entire adult male citizenry, who were not simply allowed to keep their own arms, but affirmatively required to do so.

— Don Kates

What, sir, is the use of a militia? It is to prevent the establishment of a standing army, the bane of liberty ... Whenever…

— Elbridge Gerry

For a people who are free, and who mean to remain so, a well-organized and armed militia is their best security.

— Thomas Jefferson

I ask, sir, what is the militia? It is the whole people except for a few public officials.

— George Mason