"Firearms stand next in importance to the Constitution" - George Washington.
"Men by their constitutions are divided into two parties 1) Those who fear and distrust the people ... 2) Those who identify with the people, have confidence in them, cherish and consider them as the most honest, and safe ...depository of the public interest" - Thomas Jefferson.
"Guard with jealous attention the public liberty. Suspect everyone who
approaches that jewel. Unfortunatly, nothing will preserve it but downright
force. Whenever you give up that force, you are ruined ... The great object
is that every man be armed" - Patrick Henry.
"No Freeman shall be debarred the use of arms in his own lands or tenements" - Thomas Jefferson.
"...Arms in the hands of citizens to be used at individual descretion ... in private self defense" - John Adams.
"The people are confirmed by the next article of their right to keep and bear
their private arms" - Tench Coxe. (at the ratificatin of the 2nd ammend.)
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As a contrast
"If New York City outlawed handgun carrying, homicides would decline
drastically" - Tim Sullivan, 1911, of the "Sullivan Law". In fact, homicides
