"No free man shall ever be debarred the use of arms." ~Thomas Jefferson, 1776
"Before a standing army can rule, the people must be disarmed; as they are in almost every kingdom of Europe."
~Noah Webster, 1787
"To disarm the people is the best and most effectual way to enslave them."
"What is the militia? It is the whole people, except for a few public officials."
~George Mason, 1788
"The said Constitution shall never be construed to authorize Congress to prevent the people of the United States who are peaceable citizens from keeping their own arms." ~Samuel Adams, 1788
"The militia is our ultimate safety. We can have no security without it. The great object is that every man be armed."
~Patrick Henry
"Necessity is the plea of every infringement of human freedom. It is the argument of tyrants, it is the creed of slaves."
~William Pitt, 1783
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"I would also work to reinstate the assault weapons ban." ~Sen. Hillary Clinton, 2008
"Assault weapons in the hands of civilians exist for no reason but to inspire fear and wreak deadly havoc on our streets" ~President Bill Clinton, 1997
"You want an assault rifle? Join the Army!"
~Rep. Carolyn McCarthy
"Banning guns addresses a fundamental right of all Americans to feel safe."
~Senator Diane Feinstein, 1993
"We're going to hammer guns on the anvil of relentless legislative strategy! We're going to beat guns into submission!"
~Senator Charles Schumer, 1993
"Except for lawful police and military purposes, the possession of weapons by individuals is not constitutionally protected." ~ACLU policy statement #47, 1986
"If someone is so fearful that they are going to start using their weapons to protect their rights, it makes me very nervous that these people have weapons at all."
~Rep. Henry Waxman
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