--- title: "Meaning & Key Takeaway of: That guns do more than protect us from…" description: "\"That guns do more than protect us from criminals; more importantly, they protect us from the ongoing threat of government.\" — Lyn Nofziger" image: "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/73f/lyn-nofziger-16875_amendment_that-guns-do-more-than-protect-us-from-c_1734335.png" --- # That guns do more than protect us from criminals; more… ![“That guns do more than protect us from criminals; more importantly, they protect us from the ongoing threat of government.” quote by Lyn Nofziger](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/73f/lyn-nofziger-16875_amendment_that-guns-do-more-than-protect-us-from-c_1734335.png) [Download](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/73f/lyn-nofziger-16875_amendment_that-guns-do-more-than-protect-us-from-c_1734335.png) [Open image](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/73f/lyn-nofziger-16875_amendment_that-guns-do-more-than-protect-us-from-c_1734335.png) > “That guns do more than protect us from criminals; more importantly, they protect us from the ongoing threat of government.” [Lyn Nofziger](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/lyn-nofziger/) ## About This Quote This interpretation was drafted with AI assistance. It is one reading of the quote, not the author's own explanation. Argues that firearms serve to protect citizens not only from criminals but also from potential government overreach. **In simple terms:** Guns guard against both crime and tyranny. Key Takeaway Consider the balance between security and liberty. Themes freedom security government rights Mood cautious defensive Type political philosophical When to use this quote - personal safety - political activism - policy debate - community defense Key Concepts civil liberties self‑defense political theory Questions to Reflect On - What alternatives exist for protecting civil liberties? - How does this view align with modern gun debates? A Different Perspective Overemphasis on guns may ignore other safety measures. ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ No ratings yet [Amendment](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/amendment/) [Criminals](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/criminals/) [Government](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/government/) [Guns](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/guns/) [Guns Protect](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/guns-protect-1459212/) [Ongoing](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/ongoing/) [Ongoing Threat](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/ongoing-threat-1459215/) [Politics](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/politics/) [Protect](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/protect/) [Protect Criminals](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/protect-criminals-1459213/) [Threat](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/threat/) [Threat Government](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/threat-government-1459214/) ## Related quotes > [This is an ongoing threat from a variety of sources around the world. And actually I think it works both ways. I'm not privy…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/rand-paul/this-is-an-ongoing-threat-from-a-variety-of-sources-around-the-world/) [Rand Paul](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/rand-paul/) > [Your guns protect you the right way but by taking someones life.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/mak-786/your-guns-protect-you-the-right-way-but-by-taking-someones-life/) [Mak\_786](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/mak-786/) > [Growing up in eastern Kentucky like I did, I'm used to having a few guns around to protect me.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/loretta-lynn/growing-up-in-eastern-kentucky-like-i-did-i-m-used-to-having-a-few/) [Loretta Lynn](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/loretta-lynn/) > [A wounded Qaddafi still in power would be an ongoing threat and menace to the rest of the world.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/pete-hoekstra/a-wounded-qaddafi-still-in-power-would-be-an-ongoing-threat-and/) [Pete Hoekstra](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/pete-hoekstra/) > [The American Constitution was not written to protect criminals; it was written to protect the government from becoming criminals.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/lenny-bruce/the-american-constitution-was-not-written-to-protect-criminals-it-was/) [Lenny Bruce](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/lenny-bruce/) > [Capitalism needs and must have the prison to protect itself from the criminals it has created.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/eugene-v-debs/capitalism-needs-and-must-have-the-prison-to-protect-itself-from-the/) [Eugene V. Debs](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/eugene-v-debs/) > [“The only proper purpose of a government is to protect man's rights, which means: to protect him from physical violence. The only proper functions…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ayn-rand/the-only-proper-purpose-of-a-government-is-to-protect-man-s-rights/) [Ayn Rand](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ayn-rand/) > [“I find the whole thing bizarre because I can’t imagine anyone raised in District 13 being a threat the government would have to guard…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/suzanne-collins/i-find-the-whole-thing-bizarre-because-i-can-t-imagine-anyone-raised/) [Suzanne Collins](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/suzanne-collins/) > [Teachers do not need to be armed with guns to protect their classes; they need to be armed with a solid education in order…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/emma-gonzalez/teachers-do-not-need-to-be-armed-with-guns-to-protect-their-classes/) [Emma Gonzalez](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/emma-gonzalez/) > [It is true that authoritarian governments increasingly see the internet as a threat in part because they see the US government behind the internet.…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/evgeny-morozov/it-is-true-that-authoritarian-governments-increasingly-see-the-2/) [Evgeny Morozov](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/evgeny-morozov/) > [It is true that authoritarian governments increasingly see the Internet as a threat in part because they see the U.S. government behind the Internet.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/evgeny-morozov/it-is-true-that-authoritarian-governments-increasingly-see-the/) [Evgeny Morozov](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/evgeny-morozov/) > [Like air pollution, flood risk is a threat that government should be protecting us against.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/barry-gardiner/like-air-pollution-flood-risk-is-a-threat-that-government-should-be/) [Barry Gardiner](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/barry-gardiner/) > [If the government decides to become a tyrannical government, our guns are to protect us against that.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/chuck-norris/if-the-government-decides-to-become-a-tyrannical-government-our-guns/) [Chuck Norris](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/chuck-norris/) > [There's no evidence that I'm aware of that guns protect liberty.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/alan-dershowitz/there-s-no-evidence-that-i-m-aware-of-that-guns-protect-liberty/) [Alan Dershowitz](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/alan-dershowitz/) > [The hundreds of thousands of illegal aliens who have unlawfully crossed our border are posing a significant threat to the government's ability to effectively…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/matthew-whitaker/the-hundreds-of-thousands-of-illegal-aliens-who-have-unlawfully/) [Matthew Whitaker](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/matthew-whitaker/) ## More by Lyn Nofziger > [There are many things in America worth conserving. But I am one of those conservatives who believes the most important of those things is…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/lyn-nofziger/there-are-many-things-in-america-worth-conserving-but-i-am-one-of/) [Lyn Nofziger](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/lyn-nofziger/) > [If George W. Bush really has the courage of his convictions the United States very soon will either wind up dominating the United Nations…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/lyn-nofziger/if-george-w-bush-really-has-the-courage-of-his-convictions-the-united/) [Lyn Nofziger](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/lyn-nofziger/) > [One other thing I think a conservative believes is that the parents, not government, are and should be responsible for the upbringing and behavior…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/lyn-nofziger/one-other-thing-i-think-a-conservative-believes-is-that-the-parents/) [Lyn Nofziger](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/lyn-nofziger/) > [Government should work to insure the rights of the individual, not plot to take them away.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/lyn-nofziger/government-should-work-to-insure-the-rights-of-the-individual-not/) [Lyn Nofziger](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/lyn-nofziger/) > [In case anyone would like to know, we have now entered the Christmas season. Christmas as in Jesus Christ. This is not the "happy…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/lyn-nofziger/in-case-anyone-would-like-to-know-we-have-now-entered-the-christmas/) [Lyn Nofziger](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/lyn-nofziger/) > [If you make one word out of 'The IRS' it spells 'theirs.'](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/lyn-nofziger/if-you-make-one-word-out-of-the-irs-it-spells-theirs/) [Lyn Nofziger](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/lyn-nofziger/) > [I don't like government, it's just that simple.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/lyn-nofziger/i-don-t-like-government-it-s-just-that-simple/) [Lyn Nofziger](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/lyn-nofziger/) > [I sometimes lie awake at night trying to think of something funny that Richard Nixon said.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/lyn-nofziger/i-sometimes-lie-awake-at-night-trying-to-think-of-something-funny/) [Lyn Nofziger](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/lyn-nofziger/) > [The concerted effort to minimize Christmas has resulted in it being our national Happy Holiday holiday. The Christmas season is now the holiday season.…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/lyn-nofziger/the-concerted-effort-to-minimize-christmas-has-resulted-in-it-being/) [Lyn Nofziger](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/lyn-nofziger/) > [Reagan's half a disciple of Benjamin Franklin. He believes in early to bed.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/lyn-nofziger/reagan-s-half-a-disciple-of-benjamin-franklin-he-believes-in-early-to/) [Lyn Nofziger](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/lyn-nofziger/) > [That government is not a necessary good but an unavoidable evil.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/lyn-nofziger/that-government-is-not-a-necessary-good-but-an-unavoidable-evil/) [Lyn Nofziger](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/lyn-nofziger/) > [I think the American people have become more reliant upon government and less reliant upon themselves and that they now tend to put security…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/lyn-nofziger/i-think-the-american-people-have-become-more-reliant-upon-government/) [Lyn Nofziger](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/lyn-nofziger/) > [The best thing going for us is Al Gore. I cannot conceive how the American people could elect him. On the other hand, I…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/lyn-nofziger/the-best-thing-going-for-us-is-al-gore-i-cannot-conceive-how-the/) [Lyn Nofziger](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/lyn-nofziger/) > [The executive branch has grown too strong, the judicial branch too arrogant and the legislative branch too stupid.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/lyn-nofziger/the-executive-branch-has-grown-too-strong-the-judicial-branch-too/) [Lyn Nofziger](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/lyn-nofziger/) > [Most politicians - those people who live, eat and breathe politics - like to sit around and talk about politics and tell political war…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/lyn-nofziger/most-politicians-those-people-who-live-eat-and-breathe-politics-like/) [Lyn Nofziger](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/lyn-nofziger/) [Explore all 38 Lyn Nofziger quotes ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/lyn-nofziger/) ## More Amendment quotes > [There are a lot of people who want to retain the Eighth Amendment - I don't agree with that view myself - there are…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/leo-varadkar/there-are-a-lot-of-people-who-want-to-retain-the-eighth-amendment-i/) [Leo Varadkar](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/leo-varadkar/) > [“Let's just make this easy. I'm in favor of a Constitutional amendment that would read something like this: 'Neither the federal government, nor any…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/neal-boortz/let-s-just-make-this-easy-i-m-in-favor-of-a-constitutional-amendment/) [Neal Boortz](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/neal-boortz/) > [If you reduce the guns and the ammo, you'll reduce the murders.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/michael-moore/if-you-reduce-the-guns-and-the-ammo-you-ll-reduce-the-murders/) [Michael Moore](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/michael-moore/) > [Gun control laws don't work. What is worse, they act perversely. While legitimate users of firearms encounter intense regulation, scrutiny and bureaucratic control, illicit…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/daniel-d-polsby/gun-control-laws-don-t-work-what-is-worse-they-act-perversely-while/) [Daniel D. Polsby](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/daniel-d-polsby/) > [Can you understand why the Congress, most states and most cities refuse to pass legislation requiring the registration and licensing of any and all…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/malcolm-forbes/can-you-understand-why-the-congress-most-states-and-most-cities/) [Malcolm Forbes](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/malcolm-forbes/) > [This separation was absolute in our original Republic. But the sky-godders do not give up easily. In the 1950s they actually got the phrase…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/gore-vidal/this-separation-was-absolute-in-our-original-republic-but-the-sky/) [Gore Vidal](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/gore-vidal/) > [Guns aren't the problem; sick people are.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/pete-sessions/guns-aren-t-the-problem-sick-people-are/) [Pete Sessions](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/pete-sessions/) > [The proliferation of right-to-carry laws throughout the states has drawn plaintive complaints from the criminal element. They feel that it makes their profession too…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jeff-cooper/the-proliferation-of-right-to-carry-laws-throughout-the-states-has/) [Jeff Cooper](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jeff-cooper/) > [Gun violence has cost us too many political leaders, and hardly ever the worst ones.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/p-j-o-rourke/gun-violence-has-cost-us-too-many-political-leaders-and-hardly-ever/) [P. J. O'Rourke](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/p-j-o-rourke/) > [I don't think anybody who carries a rifle carries the future. Because I don't believe that you can really change the world by killing…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/shimon-peres/i-don-t-think-anybody-who-carries-a-rifle-carries-the-future-because/) [Shimon Peres](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/shimon-peres/) > [“my folks wouldn't read a book if you put a gun to their dicks. but they read people all day long and always get…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/pat-conroy/my-folks-wouldn-t-read-a-book-if-you-put-a-gun-to-their-dicks-but/) [Pat Conroy](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/pat-conroy/) > [Anybody who pretends that how you read the 10th and 11th Amendment doesn't have a fundamental impact on the things we care about is…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/joe-biden/anybody-who-pretends-that-how-you-read-the-10th-and-11th-amendment/) [Joe Biden](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/joe-biden/) > [I think we have two conflicting traditions in this country. I think it's important for us to recognize that we've got a tradition of…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/barack-obama/i-think-we-have-two-conflicting-traditions-in-this-country-i-think-it/) [Barack Obama](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/barack-obama/) > [Country lyrics often reference the NRA and firearms ownership as a way of life. Artists such as John Rich, Toby Keith, Sara Evans and…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/katie-pavlich/country-lyrics-often-reference-the-nra-and-firearms-ownership-as-a/) [Katie Pavlich](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/katie-pavlich/) > [“People who have attended Concealed Carry classes, and those already licensed, typically seem to demonstrate a higher degree of courtesy, responsibility and respect. Interestingly,…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/gary-behr/people-who-have-attended-concealed-carry-classes-and-those-already/) [Gary Behr](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/gary-behr/) [Browse all 2,041 Amendment quotes ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/amendment/) ```json { "@context": "https://schema.org", "@graph": [ { "@type": "Quotation", "text": "That guns do more than protect us from criminals; more importantly, they protect us from the ongoing threat of government.", "creator": { "@type": "Person", "name": "Lyn Nofziger" }, "isPartOf": { "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/#website" }, "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/lyn-nofziger/that-guns-do-more-than-protect-us-from-criminals-more-importantly/", "about": { "@type": "Thing", "name": "Amendment" }, "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/lyn-nofziger/that-guns-do-more-than-protect-us-from-criminals-more-importantly/#quotation", "image": { "@type": "ImageObject", "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/73f/lyn-nofziger-16875_amendment_that-guns-do-more-than-protect-us-from-c_1734335.png", "contentUrl": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/73f/lyn-nofziger-16875_amendment_that-guns-do-more-than-protect-us-from-c_1734335.png", "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/73f/lyn-nofziger-16875_amendment_that-guns-do-more-than-protect-us-from-c_1734335.png", "width": 1080, "height": 1080, "caption": "“That guns do more than protect us from criminals; more importantly, they protect us from the ongoing threat…” — Lyn Nofziger", "creditText": "SMS4Smile Quotes", "creator": { "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/#organization" } } }, { "@type": "BreadcrumbList", "itemListElement": [ { "@type": "ListItem", "position": 1, "name": "Home", "item": "https://sms4smile.com/" }, { "@type": "ListItem", "position": 2, "name": "Quotes", "item": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/" }, { "@type": "ListItem", "position": 3, "name": "Lyn Nofziger", "item": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/lyn-nofziger/" }, { "@type": "ListItem", "position": 4, "name": "That guns do more than protect...", "item": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/lyn-nofziger/that-guns-do-more-than-protect-us-from-criminals-more-importantly/" } ], "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/lyn-nofziger/that-guns-do-more-than-protect-us-from-criminals-more-importantly/#breadcrumb" }, { "@type": "WebSite", "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/#website", "name": "SMS4Smile Quotes", "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/", "publisher": { "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/#organization" } }, { "@type": "Organization", "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/#organization", "name": "SMS4Smile Quotes", "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/", "logo": { "@type": "ImageObject", "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/wp-content/themes/sq/assets/icons/icon-512.png", "width": 512, "height": 512 } } ] } ```