If Parliament may take from me one shilling in the pound, what security have I for the other nineteen?

It is certainly true that a popular government cannot flourish without virtue in the people.

The constitution ought to secure a genuine militia and guard against a select militia. ...All regulations tending to render this general militia useless and defenseless, by establishing select corps of militia, or distinct bodies of military men, not having permanent interests and attachments to the community ought to be avoided.

If Parliament may take from me one shilling in the pound, what security have I for the other nineteen?

Militias, when properly formed, are in fact the people themselves and include all men capable of bearing arms. [...] 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.

To preserve liberty, it is essential that the whole body of people always possess arms.

It must never be forgotten...that the liberties of the people are not so safe under the gracious manner of government as by the limitation of power.