John Adams Quote

"Arms in the hands of individual citizens may be used at individual discretion for the defence of the country, the over-throw of tyranny, or in private self-defence."

by:	John Adams (1735-1826) Founding Father, 2nd US President
Source:	A Defense of the Constitutions of Government of the United States of America, at 475, (Philadelphia 1788)
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Categories:	Arms, Defense, Guns, Individual Rights, Resistance, Tyranny, Discretion
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WOW ! ! ! We hold this truth to be self evident! He who forgets history is doomed to relive it. The wisdom of the founders is unparalleled. This quote's subject is at least as appropriate today, if not more so, than when it was first stated.  -- Mike, Norwalk
Never give them up.  -- J Carlton, Calgary
Some say we should leave it to the cops for our safety. If you think that the cops can protect you,think again. After you are robbed and killed in your home, they will make a report and that's about it. They may even catch the culprit but you are still dead. It's up to us to protect ourselves.  -- jim k, Austin,Tx
jim, you are absolutely right. There are dozens of Supreme Court decisions over the last couple decades that declare no policing agency (agent) has any liability to or responsibility for anyone or anything except government property. All policing, as may exist, is in toto aloof from We The People. Prior to the war between the States, police departments were considered standing armies to enforce a despots will. Only 3 police departments were created shortly before the war between the states. After that war, police departments were set up in the South to enforce the carpet baggers cruel tyranny and the north's dictator mentality. The expansion into the west that soon followed was also closely controlled with local standing armies.  -- Mike, Norwalk
Only the self defence part is correct. All guns and "men" come under the Commnader In Chief as far as defending the nation. As far as fighting tyranny that is what the vote if for.  -- Waffler, Smith      1
-- Anonymous, Reston, VA US
Wrong, Waffler. The right to bear arms is specifically to secure a final check against government tyranny. Everyone knows this. Once the Russian people were disarmed, MILLIONS were killed. Once the Germans were disarmed MILLIONS were killed. Once the Chinese were disarmed MILLIONS were killed. Wherever the people have been disarmed, they have been easily rounded up, and totalitarian states imposed. It can't happen here? HA! Not as long as the people keep their guns. Read the Federalist Papers debating the Constitution -- the purpose of the Second Amendment could not be clearer.  -- E Archer, NYC      1
-- Nick
-- dick, Fort Worth
You misread me Archer. I said that the guns and their owners, active military, organized militia, and the unorganized militia (able body men under the age of 45) come under and report to the Commander In Chief. None of them have the right to take up arms against a foreign power or a domestic power without the order of and leadership of the Commander In Chief. That leaves all women and men over the age of 45 I guess available to do what ever they wish to. If the last group takes up arms in foreign or domestic cases I guess they would be fighting the active military, the organized militia, and the unorganized militia all under The President of the USA.  -- Waffler, Smith
What kind of "moron" thinks you can "vote" out tyranny? Good God but some people are incredibly ignorant of the facts of life.  -- J Carlton, Calgary      1
Tyranny J is a riged vote or election. If elections are fraudulent then I assent to violence to ensure a free and fair election.  -- Waffler, Smith
You vill turn over your firearms schnell. Ve vill protect you, citizen. Hitler won his election. Saddam Hussein repeatedly won elections. Hugo Chavez has won several, even with Jimmy Carter's stamp of approval for "fairness." I suppose if 51% vote to march Waffler off to a concentration camp that would be fine with him. It's "fair" after all.  -- Ken, Allyn, WA
If you take away the Second Amendment (or get people to give it up), the rest are easy.  -- Tom, Carlyss,LA
Luke 22 : 36 KJB  -- Ron, Salem
I love the comment by "Waffler, Smith". Look at the way he spelled defense. He is either British or lives in the common wealth. No wonder he doesn't agree. This quote came from someone who had no "vote" from "Waffler, Smith's" country.  -- Brad, Jackson, WY
-- Herb, Lexington
You'll never meet a firearm enthusiast who does not actively, aggressively prowl around looking for human targets for their firearm enthusiasm, with no more maturity or justification then why waste all that expense of buying these firearms, and practicing at the firing range. The firearm owner is deranged, simply cut and dry as that.  -- Fredrick William Sillik, Anytown
Bullshit.  There are 100+ million gun owners in America.  All should have had some training and many will develop their marksmen skills throughout their life.  Who are the militia?  The people.  It is the American reponsibility to be armed and ready to defend themselves against thieves and murderers, even if they are government officials laying claim to what is not theirs.  -- E Archer, NYC

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