Amendment Quote by Ronald Reagan
“The NRA believes America's laws were made to be obeyed and that our Constitutional liberties are just as important today as 200 years ago. And by the way, the Constitution does not say Government shall decree the right to keep and bear arms. The Constitution says 'The right of the people to keep and bear arms shall not be infringed.'”
About This Quote
Source Speech: Remarks at the National Rifle Association Annual Meeting, 1981
The quote emphasizes that constitutional rights, especially the right to bear arms, are timeless and should not be interpreted as government‑granted but as inherent to the people.
In simple terms: Constitutional rights are inherent, not given by government.
Key Takeaway
Respect and protect inherent rights.
Themes
constitution
rights
government
individual liberty
Mood
defensive
assertive
Type
political
historical
When to use this quote
- public policy debate
- law education
- civic discussions
- rights advocacy
Key Concepts
Legal interpretation
historical context
political rhetoric
Questions to Reflect On
- How do we balance individual rights with collective safety?
- What defines “infringement” in modern contexts?
A Different Perspective
Interpretations of the Second Amendment vary and can conflict with public safety concerns.
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![“The Constitution does not vest in Congress the authority to protect society from every bad act that might befall it…[I]f followed to its logical extreme, [this approach] would result in an unwarranted expansion of federal power.” quote by Clarence Thomas](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/img-quotes/f68/clarence-thomas-7661_approach_the-constitution-does-not-vest-in-congre_86587.jpg)
