To preserve liberty, it is essential that the whole body of people always possess arms.
Militias, when properly formed, are in fact the people themselves and include all men capable of bearing arms. [. . . ] 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.
For an unarmed man may be attacked with greater confidence than an armed man.
The constitutions of most of our States assert that all power is inherent in the people; that. . . it is their right and duty to be at all times armed.
The Constitution of most of our states (and of the United States) assert that all power is inherent in the people; that they may exercise it by themselves; that it is their right and duty to be at all times armed and that they are entitled to freedom of person, freedom of religion, freedom of property, and freedom of press.
Laws that forbid the carrying of arms disarm only those who are neither inclined nor determined to commit crimes.
All power is inherent in the people.
The Constitution be never construed to authorize Congress to infringe the just liberty of the press, or the rights of conscience; or to prevent the people of the United States, who are peaceable citizens, from keeping their own arms.
