The strongest reason for the people to retain their right to keep and bear arms is as a last resort to protect themselves against tyranny in government. 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. The great object is that every man be armed. Everyone who is able may have a gun. Americans need never fear their government because of the advantage of being armed, which the Americans possess over the people of almost every other nation.
Firearms stand next in importance to the Constitution itself.
They are the American people's liberty teeth and keystone under independence. Besides, the advantage of being armed forms a barrier against the enterprises of ambition, more insurmountable than any which a simple government of any form can admit of. The governments of Europe are afraid to trust the people with arms. If they did, the people would certainly shake off the yoke of tyranny, as America did. Before a standing army can rule, the people must be disarmed as they are in almost every kingdom in Europe.