In their own words: Quotes from the Founding generation, Part II
Posted by 1776blog on December 2, 2009
Quotes from the Founding generation, Part II: Guns, Guns, Guns
George Mason-
“To disarm the people is the best and most effectual way to enslave them.”
Thomas Jefferson-
(1) ”Those who hammer their guns into plowshares will plow for those who do not.”
(2) ”No freeman shall ever be debarred the use of arms. The strongest reason for the people to retain the right to keep and bear arms is, as a last resort, to protect themselves against tyranny in government.”
Richard Henry Lee- (first to formally propose independence from Great Britain, signer of Declaration of Independence)
“To preserve liberty, it is essential that the whole body of the people always possess arms and be taught alike, especially when young, how to use them.”
Patrick Henry-
“Are we at last brought to such humiliating and debasing degradation, that we cannot be trusted with arms for our defense? Where is the difference between having our arms in possession and under our direction and having them under the management of Congress? If our defense be the real object of having those arms, in whose hands can they be trusted with more propriety, or equal safety to us, as in our own hands?”
George Washington-
“Firearms stand next in importance to the constitution itself. They are the American people’s liberty teeth and keystone under independence … from the hour the Pilgrims landed to the present day, events, occurences and tendencies prove that to ensure peace security and happiness, the rifle and pistol are equally indispensable … the very atmosphere of firearms anywhere restrains evil interference — they deserve a place of honor with all that’s good.”
Thomas Payne-
“Arms like laws discourage and keep the invader and plunderer in awe and preserve order in the world as well as property.”
Alexander Hamilton-
“The Constitution shall never be construed to prevent the people of the United States who are peaceable citizens from keeping their own arms.”
