By establishing a colonial legislature, John Winthrop altered the governance of Massachusetts. This response has been proven to be correct and useful. Winthrop's plan was not an abstract theory but was based on experience from England. In 1629, Winthrop went to London to ask for funds to establish schools and churches in America. He learned that the English Parliament was planning to pass legislation requiring all men over 21 to bear arms in order to fight pirates. Winthrop used this knowledge to convince the General Court to adopt a law requiring every man between the ages of 17 and 60 to own a gun. In addition to being good policy, this law was also necessary because there were no police officers or jails in Boston yet. By requiring each citizen to protect himself from pirates and Native Americans, Winthrop ensured that no one would take advantage of him or his neighbors. This law is what enabled Boston to become a safer place to live. John Winthrop believed that God had ordained America to be a place where people could live out their faith without persecution. After his return from England, he helped draft the Mayflower Compact, which established guidelines for governing themselves while they waited for news from England about whether it was safe to move to America.