"Firearms stand next in importance to the Constitution itself.  They are the American people's liberty teeth and keystone under independence....  From the hour the pilgrims landed, to the present day events, occurrences and tendencies prove that to insure peace, security and happiness, the rifle and the pistol are equally indispensable...  The very atmosphere of firearms everywhere restrains evil interference--the deserve a place of honor with all that's good." --George Washington 

“Laws that forbid the carrying of arms. . . disarm only those who are neither inclined nor determined to commit crimes. . . Such laws make things worse for the assaulted and better for the assailants; they serve  rather to encourage than to prevent homicides, for an unarmed man may be attacked with greater confidence than an armed man.”--Thomas Jefferson

"A strong body makes the mind strong. As to the species of exercises, I advise the gun. While this gives moderate exercise to the body, it gives boldness, enterprise and independence to the mind. Games played with the ball, and others of that nature, are too violent for the body and stamp no character in the mind. Let your gun, therefore, be the constant companion of your walks."--Thomas Jefferson

"Arms in the hands of citizens may be used at individual discretion . . . in private selfdefense."
--John Adams

"The Constitution preserves “the advantage of being armed which Americans possess over the people of almost every other nation. . . (where) the governments are afraid to trust the people with arms.”
--James Madison

“[A]rms discourage and keep the invader and plunderer in awe, and preserve order in the world as well as property. . . Horrid mischief would ensue were the law-abiding deprived of the use of them.”
--Thomas Paine