With the help of Wayne LaPierre’s book, The Essential Second Amendment Guide, I would like to share the Founder’s words on the Second Amendment.
In a letter to John Cartwright in 1824, Thomas Jefferson wrote:
“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.”
“Jefferson’s “Commonplace Book,” 1774-1776, quoting from On Crimes and Punishment, by criminologist Cesare Beccaria, 1764:
“Laws that forbid the carrying of arms…disarm only those who are neither inclined nor determined to commit crimes…Such laws make things worse for the assaulted and better for the assailants; they serve rather to encourage than to prevent homicides, for an unarmed man may be attacked with greater confidence than an armed man.”"
“George Mason, of Virginia:
“[W]hen the resolution of enslaving America was formed in Great Britain, the British Parliament was advised by an artful man, who was governor of Pennsylvania, to disarm the people; that it was the best and most effectual way to enslave them; but that they should not do it openly, but weaken them , and let them sink gradually.”
“[I] ask, who are the militia? They consist now of the whole people, except a few public officers.”
Virginia’s U.S. Constitution ratification convention, 1788″
Do these statements seem out of date? Are we in need of self-defense and the right to bear arms? I say yes, a very loud yes. We most certainly need and should certainly be armed as a check against tyranny and foreign designs to conquer.
I have thought for a very long time that our land shall never be conquered from without because the population is armed. Our greatest threat comes from within as “lofty thinkers” assert Utopian views that somehow fail to include actual human behavior. This issue is as old as Genesis when Cain slew Abel to get gain and will continue to be an issue as long as humanity is imperfect. Well that could be a quite a while don’t you think?
“Samuel Adams, of Massachusetts:
“The said Constitution [shall] 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.”
Massachusetts U.S. Constitution ratification convention, 1788″
“James Madison, of Virginia:
The Constitution preserves “the advantage of being armed which Americans possess over the people of almost every other nation…(where) the governments are afraid to trust the people with arms.”
The Federalist, No. 46″
“Thomas Paine, of Pennsylvania:
“[A]rms discourage and keep the invader and plunderer in awe, and preserve order in the world as well as property…Horrid mischief would ensue were the law-abiding deprived of the use of them.”
Thoughts on Defensive War, 1775″
“Patrick Henry, of Virginia:
“Guard with jealous attention the public liberty. Suspect everyone who approaches that jewel.”
Virginia’s U. S. Constitution ratification convention”
I am very grateful for the Founder’s courage and boldness in asserting these true principles. I am also thankful for the historians who preserved these writings. Finally, I am grateful for Wayne LaPeirre’s fight to preserve my rights to bear arms for whatever lawful purpose necessary.
God Bless You and God Bless America!
