Carolina QuotesNo freeman shall be debarred the use of arms [within his own lands].
Thomas Jefferson Connected to the Carolinas
Source
Draft Constitution for Virginia (June 1776) This quote often appears with the parenthetical omitted and with the spurious extension, "The strongest reason for the people to retain their right to keep and bear arms is as a last resort to protect themselves against tyranny in government". (See "No freeman shall be debarred the use of arms" Quotation (Archived from the original on February 20, 2020) and Jefferson Encyclopedia "Strongest reason for the people to retain the right to keep and bear arms" Quotation (Archived from the original on February 20, 2020))
- year
- 1776
Cite this record
“No freeman shall be debarred the use of arms [within his own…” Thomas Jefferson. Carolina Quotes, record CQ-300B8B0220. https://carolinaquotes.com/quote/300b8b0220
More from Thomas Jefferson
Compulsion in religion is distinguished peculiarly from compulsion in every other thing. I may grow rich by art I am compelled to follow, I may recover health by medicines I am compelled to take against my own judgment, but I cannot be saved by a worship I disbelieve & abhor.
Let those flatter, who fear: it is not an American art.
Christianity neither is, nor ever was, a part of the common law [this quote is referring to English Common Law].