--- title: "Meaning & Key Takeaway of: Every person, whether in wartime or not…" description: "\"Every person, whether in wartime or not, should keep a pistol and rifle in his house at all times. If a person is not going to protect himself, and wis..." image: "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/b9b/william-powell-20136_all-time_every-person-whether-in-wartime-or-not-s_2935325.png" --- # Every person, whether in wartime or not, should keep a… ![“Every person, whether in wartime or not, should keep a pistol and rifle in his house at all times. If a person is not going to protect himself, and wishes the government to do it for him, how can he complain when the government decides to protect itself against him, and executes him?” quote by William Powell](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/b9b/william-powell-20136_all-time_every-person-whether-in-wartime-or-not-s_2935325.png) [Download](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/b9b/william-powell-20136_all-time_every-person-whether-in-wartime-or-not-s_2935325.png) [Open image](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/b9b/william-powell-20136_all-time_every-person-whether-in-wartime-or-not-s_2935325.png) > “Every person, whether in wartime or not, should keep a pistol and rifle in his house at all times. If a person is not going to protect himself, and wishes the government to do it for him, how can he complain when the government decides to protect itself against him, and executes him?” [William Powell](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/william-powell/) ## About This Quote This interpretation was drafted with AI assistance. It is one reading of the quote, not the author's own explanation. Everyone should arm themselves; reliance on government invites oppression and loss of liberty. **In simple terms:** Self‑defense prevents tyranny. Key Takeaway Consider personal and collective security. Themes rights self‑reliance government Mood cautious provocative Type political philosophical When to use this quote - home safety - political activism - community preparedness Key Concepts political philosophy civil liberties security Questions to Reflect On - Is personal armament the best safeguard? - What alternatives protect against governmental overreach? A Different Perspective Arming civilians can increase violence and instability. ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ No ratings yet [All time](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/all-time/) [Amendment](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/amendment/) [Complain Government](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/complain-government-4348256/) [Complaining](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/complaining/) [Government](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/government/) [Government Complain](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/government-complain-4348258/) [Government Decides](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/government-decides-529520/) [House](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/house/) [Ifs](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/ifs/) [Person Wartime](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/person-wartime-4348257/) [Persons](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/persons/) [Pistol](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/pistol/) [Pistols](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/pistols/) [Politics](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/politics/) [Protect](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/protect/) [Rifles](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/rifles/) [Should](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/should/) [Time](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/time/) [Wartime](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/wartime/) [Wish](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/wish/) ## Related quotes > [I believe that people who do not vote in this country have no right to complain about the government that we are now living…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/bill-bixby/i-believe-that-people-who-do-not-vote-in-this-country-have-no-right/) [Bill Bixby](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/bill-bixby/) > [I think that most people who complain about our government have no idea what they're talking about because they've never been to a country…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/whitney-tilson/i-think-that-most-people-who-complain-about-our-government-have-no/) [Whitney Tilson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/whitney-tilson/) > [Before the government decides to raise the minimum wage, it must consider the effects of the tax and benefits merry-go-round that affects the low-paid.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jacob-rees-mogg/before-the-government-decides-to-raise-the-minimum-wage-it-must/) [Jacob Rees-Mogg](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jacob-rees-mogg/) > [Socialism is when government's taking care of you, you send all your money to the government, the government decides how to spend it instead…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/bob-latta/socialism-is-when-government-s-taking-care-of-you-you-send-all-your/) [Bob Latta](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/bob-latta/) > [Are we still a country that takes risks, that innovates, that believes anything is possible? 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