Historical Documents

""It will be on all hands admitted, that the freedom of a state must be ultimately protected by a military force of some description or other; and that its efficacy will ever depend upon order and discipline—Without these, to use the phrase of an able statesman, the largest body of armed men will ever be a contemptible mob, easily dispersed. They never will be able to sustain a serious charge from half their number of troops of a contrary description. It follows then, that our citizens must submit to such discipline as will constitute them a well regulated military force, or commit the protection of their lives, liberty and property, into the hands of standing troops; which, by the experience of all ages, has been found to be a dangerous measure.""

Quote by Maryland Gazette on well regulated military force

""That the people have a right to bear arms, for the defence of the State; and, as standing armies, in time of peace, are dangerous to liberty, they ought not to be kept up; and that the military should be kept under strict subordination to, and governed by, the civil power.""

Quote by North Carolina Constitution (1776) on quote

""That the people have a right to bear arms for the defence of themselves and the State; and as standing armies in time of peace are dangerous to liberty, they ought not to be kept up; and that the military should be kept under strict subordination to and governed by the civil power.""

Quote by Vermont Constitution (1777) on quote

""Almost every free State affords an Instance of a NATIONAL MILITIA: For Freedom cannot be maintained without Power; and Men who are not in a Capacity to defend their Liberties, will certainly lose them.""

Quote by English Treatise on Militia (1753) on quote

""Rights of the Citizen declared to be— liberty of conscience in matters of religion. Amendment, 1 26; freedom of speech and of the press 1 26; to assemble and petition 1 26; to keep and bear arms 2 26; to be exempt from the quartering of soldiers, in any house, in time of peace, without the consent of the owner...""

Quote by 1828 Congressional Rules on rights enumeration

""XIII. That the people have a right to bear arms for the defence of themselves and the state; and as standing armies in the time of peace are dangerous to liberty, they ought not to be kept up; And that the military should be kept under strict subordination to, and governed by, the civil power.""

Quote by Pennsylvania Constitution (1776) on quote

""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.""

Quote by House Debate #2: Individual Arms on quote

""A well regulated militia being necessary to the security of a free state, the right of the people to keep and bear arms shall not be infringed.""

Quote by Senate Discussion: Constitutional Language on quote

""What, sir, is the use of a militia? It is to prevent the establishment of a standing army, the bane of liberty... Whenever governments mean to invade the rights and liberties of the people, they always attempt to destroy the militia, in order to raise an army upon their ruins.""

Quote by House Debate #1: Militia Interpretation on quote