Second Amendment

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, member of Continental Congress, initiator of Declaration of Independence, and Senator when Bill of Rights passed

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

— Patrick Henry, Virginia Convention on ratification of the Constitution

The advantage of being armed . . . the Americans possess over the people of all other nations . . . Notwithstanding the military establishments in the several Kingdoms of Europe, which are carried as far as the public resources will bear, the governments are afraid to trust the people with arms.

— James Madison; Federalist Paper No. 26

. . . Constitution shall never be construed . . . to prevent the people of the United States who are peaceable citizens from keeping their own arms.

— Samuel Adams

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