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.

To say that a bad government must be established for fear of anarchy is really saying that we should kill ourselves for fear of dying.

A militia, when properly formed, are in fact the people themselves... and include all men capable of bearing arms.

So far as this has gone, I am satisfied to see a spirit prevailing that promises to send the system out free from those vexations and abuses that might be warranted by the terms of the Constitution. It must never be forgotten, however, that the liberties of the people are not so safe under the gracious manner of government, as by the limitation of power.

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

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.