"Firearms stand next in importance to the Constitution itself. They are the American people's liberty teeth and keystone under independence. The church, the plow, the prairie wagon, and citizen's firearms are indelibly related. 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. Every corner of this land knows firearms, and more than 99 99/100 percent of them by their silence indicate they are in safe and sane hands. The very atmosphere of firearms anywhere and everywhere restrains evil interference; they deserve a place with all that's good. When firearms, go all goes; we need them every hour." | by: | George Washington
(1732-1799) Founding Father, 1st US President, 'Father of the Country' |
Source: | Falsely attributed to Address to the 2nd Session, 1st Congress, 1789. The likely source is an article from a 1926 issue of Hunter-Trapper-Trader magazine attributed to C.S. Wheatley |
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