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FatDomDaddy -> RE: Then Amend the Constitution (12/19/2012 9:49:23 PM)
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"...the security of a free state"
The Framers are saying the Government must be kept in check by the governed and the best way to do that is to allow the governed to keep and bear arms.
The 2nd Amendment is a fail safe if you will. It was almost immediately put to test in The Whiskey Rebellion and while proving the Federal Government's Authority to put down that insurrection, the Whiskey Rebellion also showed the common man, the Federal Government was not going to take away the tools of such insurrections.
The quotes from that time are endless...
"The supposed quietude of a good man allures the ruffian; while on the other hand, arms like laws discourage and keep the invader and the plunderer in awe, and preserve order in the world as well 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 one half the world deprived of the use of them...." Thomas Paine
"Guard with jealous attention the public liberty. Suspect every one who approaches that jewel. Unfortunately, nothing will preserve it but downright force. Whenever you give up that force, you are ruined.... The great object is that every man be armed." Patrick Henry
"I ask, sir, what is the militia? It is the whole people" George Mason
"Who are the militia? Are they not ourselves? Is it feared, then, that we shall turn our arms each man against his own bosom? Congress shall have no power to disarm the militia. Their swords, and every other terrible implement of the soldier, are the birth-right of an American ... The unlimited power of the sword is not in the hands of either the federal or state governments, but where I trust in God it will ever remain, in the hands of the People." Tench Coxe
"Before a standing army can rule, the people must be disarmed; as they are in almost every kingdom in Europe. The supreme power in America cannot enforce unjust laws by the sword, because the whole body of the people are armed, and constitute a force superior to any band of regular troops that can be, on any pretense, raised in the United States." Noah Webster.
"The best we can hope for concerning the people at large is that they be properly armed." and Alexander Hamilton.
"No freeman shall ever be debarred the use of arms. The strongest reason for the people to retain the right to keep and bear arms is, as a last resort, to protect themselves against tyranny in government." Thomas Jefferson
"Americans need never fear their government because of the advantage of being armed, which the Americans possess over the people of almost every other nation." James Madison
"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
"Firearms stand next in importance to the Constitution itself. They are the American people's liberty teeth and keystone under independence... 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 everywhere restrains evil interference--they deserve a place of honor with all that's good." George Washington.
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