2 amendment Quote by Marcus Tullius Cicero

A militia, when properly formed, are in fact the people themselves... and include all men capable of bearing arms.

— Richard Henry Lee

It would also be strange to find in the midst of a catalog of the rights of individuals a provision securing to the states…

— Antonin Scalia

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

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

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

— Joseph Story

A militia law, requiring all men, or with very few exceptions besides cases of conscience, to be provided with arms and ammunition... is always…

— John Adams

To suppose arms in the hands of citizens, to be used at individual discretion, except in private self-defense, or by partial orders of towns,…

— John Adams

Militias, when properly formed, are in fact the people themselves and include all men capable of bearing arms. [...] To preserve liberty it is…

— Richard Henry Lee

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

— George Mason

Who are the militia? Are they not ourselves?,

— Tench Coxe

First, the constitution ought to secure a genuine and guard against a select militia, by providing that the militia shall always be kept well…

— Patrick Henry

An efficient militia is authorized and contemplated by the Constitution and required by the spirit and safety of free government.

— James Madison