""THE MILITIA IS THE NATURAL DEFENCE OF A FREE COUNTRY AGAINST SUDDEN FOREIGN INVASIONS, DOMESTIC INSURRECTIONS AND DOMESTIC USURPATIONS OF POWER BY RULERS. IT IS AGAINST SOUND POLICY FOR A FREE PEOPLE TO KEEP UP LARGE MILITARY ESTABLISHMENTS AND STANDING ARMIES IN TIME OF PEACE BOTH FROM THE ENORMOUS EXPENSES WITH WHICH THEY ARE ATTENDED AND THE FACILE MEANS WHICH THEY AFFORD TO AMBITIOUS AND UNPRINCIPLED RULERS TO SUBVERT THE GOVERNMENT OR TRAMPLE UPON THE RIGHTS OF THE PEOPLE. THE RIGHT OF THE CITIZENS TO KEEP AND BEAR ARMS HAS JUSTLY BEEN CONSIDERED AS THE PALLADIUM OF THE LIBERTIES OF A REPUBLIC SINCE IT OFFERS A STRONG MORAL CHECK AGAINST THE USURPATION AND ARBITRARY POWER OF RULERS AND WILL GENERALLY EVEN IF THESE ARE SUCCESSFUL THE FIRST INSTANCE ENABLE THE PEOPLE TO RESIST AND TRIUMPH OVER THEM.""