The Midnight Ride of Paul Revere says much. England called for the surrender of all Colonial weapons. Paul Revere stood watch, knowing the English would come to confiscate the Colonial's weapons. His valor in riding to sound the alarm when the British arrived safeguarded the birthing of our Nation because it saved the Colonist's guns. If the English had successfully disarmed the colonists, there would be no America today and our forefathers would more than likely have died that very night.
Some truths are universal.
It's important to note, I've never owned a gun. The Second Amendment protects my freedoms regardless. You needn't brandish a gun to protect yourself. Just the thought an average citizen might posses a firearm deters many crimes and serves as a firewall guarding freedom. Firewalls are needed for a person like Janet Reno who longs for unchecked power to enforce her idea of government.