Have Gun - Will Defend

"Those who hammer their guns into plows will plow for those who do not."

"I ask, Sir, what is the militia? It is the whole people. To disarm the people is the best and most effectual way to enslave them."

George Mason
Co-author
of the Second Amendment

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"Firearms stand next in importance to the constitution itself. They are the American people’s liberty teeth and keystone under independence (MY BOLD)… from the hour the Pilgrims landed to the present day, events, occurrences 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."

George Washington
First President of
the United States

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"A militia, when properly formed, are in fact the people themselves …"

Richard
Henry Lee

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"The people are not to be disarmed of their weapons. They are left in full possession of them."

Zachariah Johnson
Elliot’s Debates, vol. 3 "The Debates in the Several State Conventions on the
Adoption of the Federal Constitution."

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"And that the said Constitution be never construed to authorize Congress to infringe the just liberty of the Press, or the rights of Conscience; or to prevent the people of the United States, who are peaceable citizens, from keeping their own arms; …"

Justice Anthony Scalia wrote the following for the majority decision:

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"The supposed quietude of a good man allures the
ruffian; while on the other hand arms, like laws, discourage and keep
the invader and plunderer in awe, and preserve order in the world as
property. The same balance would be preserved were all the world
destitute of arms, for all would be alike; but since some will not,
others dare not lay them aside … Horrid mischief would ensue were the
law-abiding deprived of the use of them."

Thomas Paine

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"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."

Richard Henry Lee
American
Statesman, 1788

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"The great object is that every man be armed." and "Everyone who is able may have a gun."

Patrick Henry

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"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?"

Patrick Henry

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"The constitutions of most of our States assert that all power is inherent in the people; that … it is their right and duty to be at all times armed; … "

Thomas Jefferson

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"The best we can help for concerning the people at large is that they be properly armed."

Alexander Hamilton
The Federalist Papers at 184-8

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"The right of the people to keep and bear arms" is not limited to state militias, as some historians have argued. Rather, it protects "the inherent right of self-defense,"

Justice Anthony Scalia wrote the following for the majority decision: