The right of the people to keep and bear arms shall not be infringed. A well-regulated militia, composed of the body of the people, trained to arms, is the best and most natural defense of a free country.”
-James Madison, June 8, 1789, I Annals of Congress 434
“I ask who are the militia? They consist now of the whole people, except a few public officers.”
<span style="color:#323232;">- George Mason, June 4, 1788, Address to the Virginia Ratifying Convention
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"A well regulated militia, composed of the Yeomanry of the country, have ever been considered as the bulwark of a free people.”