U.S. Constitution, Second Amendment. It is the whole people, except for a few public officials. Congress shall have no power to disarm the militia. The unlimited power of the sword is not in the hands of either the federal or state governments, but where I trust in God it will ever remain, in the hands of the People. The supreme power in America cannot enforce unjust laws by the sword, because the whole body of the people are armed, and constitute a force superior to any band of regular troops that can be, on any pretense, raised in the United States.
Firearms stand next in importance to the Constitution itself.
No freeman shall ever be debarred the use of arms. The strongest reason for the people to retain the right to keep and bear arms is, as a last resort, to protect themselves against tyranny in government. The right of the people to keep and bear arms shall not be infringed. Suspect every one who approaches that jewel. Unfortunately, nothing will preserve it but downright force.