Before a standing army can rule, the people must be disarmed; as they are in almost every kingdom of Europe. The supreme power in America cannot enforce unjust laws by the sword; because the whole body of people are armed, and constitute a force superior to any body of regular troops that can be, on any pretense, raised in the United States
-- Noah Webster, An Examination into the Leading Principals of the Federal Constitution
Certainly one of the chief guarantees of freedom under any government, no matter how popular and respected, is the right of citizens to keep and bear arms. ... The right of citizens to bear arms is just one guarantee against arbitrary government, one more safegaurd against the tyranny which now appears remote in America but which historically has proven to be possible.
-- Senator Hubert H. Humphrey, 1960
It is criminal to teach a man not to defend himself when he is the constant victim of brutal attacks. It is legal and lawful to own a shotgun or a rifle. We believe in obeying the law.
-- Malcolm X, March 12, 1964
I like automatic weapons. I fought for my right to use them in Vietnam.
-- film director Oliver Stone, 1994
You don't see people roaming the streets, openly waving their guns and creating mayhem ... You don't need to legislate common sense. You can trust people.
-- then-Wisconsin Gov. Tommy Thompson, November 1995, on a law removing some localities' restrictions on carrying firearms openly
