Able Quote by Jeff Cooper
“All the people constitute the militia - according to the Founding Fathers. Therefore every able-bodied man has a duty under the Constitution to become part of the "well-regulated" militia, specifically to understand and perform well with the individual weapon currently issued to the regular establishment. . . . Thus one who has not qualified himself with the M-16 may not be considered to be a responsible citizen.”
About This Quote
Source Speech: United States Founding Era, late 18th century
Citizens are expected to be proficient with current military weapons as part of their constitutional duty.
In simple terms: Citizens should master modern weapons.
Key Takeaway
Train with today's weapons.
Themes
civic duty
military readiness
responsibility
Mood
serious
reflective
Type
political
instructional
When to use this quote
- national defense
- personal training
- firearm safety
- citizen militia
Key Concepts
Constitutional interpretation
civil-military relations
Questions to Reflect On
- Do you feel obligated to train with modern weapons?
- How does this view affect civilian-military relations?
A Different Perspective
Assumes all citizens have access and willingness to train.
