Quote by Patrick Henry
""ARE WE AT LAST BROUGHT TO SUCH A HUMILIATING AND DEBASING DEGRADATION, THAT WE CANNOT BE TRUSTED WITH ARMS FOR OUR OWN DEFENSE? WHERE IS THE DIFFERENCE BETWEEN HAVING OUR ARMS IN OUR POSSESSION AND UNDER OUR OWN DIRECTION, AND HAVING THEM UNDER THE MANAGEMENT OF CONGRESS? IF OUR DEFENSE BE THE REAL OBJECT OF HAVING THOSE ARMS, IN WHOSE HANDS CAN THEY BE TRUSTED WITH MORE PROPRIETY, OR EQUAL SAFETY TO US, AS IN OUR OWN HANDS?""

— Patrick Henry

Patrick Henry - Virginia Ratifying Convention

Historical Significance

Fundamental argument for individual vs. federal control of arms

Context

Anti-Federalist opposition to congressional management of citizen arms

Context

Anti-Federalist opposition to congressional management of citizen arms

Historical Significance

Fundamental argument for individual vs. federal control of arms