Thomas Jefferson Gun Quotations

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.

For a people who are free, and who mean to remain so, a well-organized and armed militia is their best security.

None but an armed nation can dispense with a standing army. To keep ours armed and disciplined is therefore at all times important.

For an unarmed man may be attacked with greater confidence than an armed man.

Laws that forbid the carrying of arms disarm only those who are neither inclined nor determined to commit crimes.

Games played with the ball, and others of that nature, are too violent for the body and stamp no character on the mind.

What country can preserve its liberties if its rulers are not warned from time to time that their people preserve the spirit of resistance? Let them take arms.

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.

A strong body makes the mind strong.

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.

Let your gun therefore be your constant companion of your walks.

I prefer dangerous freedom over peaceful slavery.

The course of history shows that as a government grows, liberty decreases.

All power is inherent in the people.

I learn with great concern that [one] portion of our frontier so interesting, so important, and so exposed, should be so entirely unprovided with common fire-arms. I did not suppose any part of the United States so destitute of what is considered as among the first necessaries of a farm-house.