THE RIGHT to KEEP and BEAR ARMS

THE RIGHT to KEEP and BEAR ARMS

* "...most attractive to Americans, the possession of arms is the
distinction between a freeman and a slave, it being the ultimate
means by which freedom was to be preserved."
-James Burgh, 18th century English Libertarian writer, Shalhope,
The Ideological Origins of the Second Amendment,p.604

* "The right to bear arms is general. It may be supposed from the
phraseology of this provision that the right to keep and bear arms
was only guaranteed to the militia, but this would be an interpretation
not warranted by the intent.

The militia, as has been explained elsewhere, consists of those persons
who, under the laws, are liable to the performance of military duty,
and are officered and enrolled for service when called upon.... If the
right were limited to those enrolled, might be defeated altogether by
the action or neglect to act of the government it was meant to hold in
check. The meaning of the provision undoubtedly is, that that the
people, from whom the militia must be taken, shall have the right to
keep and bear arms, and they need no permission or regulation of law
for the purpose. But this enables government to have a well regulated
miltia; for to bear arms implies something more than mere keeping; it
implies the learning to handle and use them in a way that makes those
who keep them ready for efficient use; in other words, it implies the
right to meet for voluntary discipline in arms, observing in so doing
the laws of public order."
-Thomas M. Cooley, General Principles of Constitutional Law, Third
Edition [1898]

* "And that said Constitution be never construed to authorize Congress
...to prevent the people of the United States, who are peaceable citizens,
from keeping their own arms."

* "If ye love wealth greater than liberty, the tranquility of servitude
greater than the animating contest for freedom, go home from us
in peace. We seek not your counsel, nor your arms. Crouch down
and lick the hand that feeds you; May your chains set lightly upon
you, and may posterity forget that ye were our countrymen."
-Samuel Adams, American Patriot-Politician, 1722-1803

The Second Amendment IS Homeland Security !