Your Second Amendment Rights, In Quotes

Those who would infringe your rights always tell you first; it’s time to listen.

by posted on September 21, 2021
** When you buy products through the links on our site, we may earn a commission that supports NRA's mission to protect, preserve and defend the Second Amendment. **
White House

The United States has a very brave and colorful past. We are unique in the fact that we are guaranteed the rights that are given to us by our Creator. Every man and woman, regardless of race, creed or religion, is protected from the government infringing upon these rights. Our forefathers gave us our founding documents, which are essentially a contract between the citizens of the United States and the government that represents us. It is up to us to make sure that our duly elected representatives abide by this contract.

Our Second Amendment rights have been under attack ever since our government felt as if it needed to have greater control over its citizenry. Gun control really took off during Reconstruction after the Civil War. During this time, a series of laws were passed to control those whom the government deemed needed to be controlled. Later, state and local governments passed laws to control minority races that were viewed as inferior.

You do not have to be a historian to learn what our founders thought of gun control. You also do not need to be a student of war to know what our enemies thought of gun control. They’ve already told us; it’s time to listen.

In the Words of our Forefathers

Thomas Jefferson
“The Constitution of our states assert that all power is inherent in the people, that they may exercise it by themselves, that it is their right and duty to be at all times armed.”

“No free man shall ever be debarred the use of arms. The strongest reason for the people to retain the right to keep and bear arms is, as a last resort, to protect themselves against tyranny in government.”

“I prefer dangerous freedom over peaceful slavery.”

James Madison 
“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 in arms, is the best and most natural defense of a free country.”

“Americans have the right and advantage of being armed – unlike the citizens of other countries whose governments are afraid to trust the people with arms.”

Alexander Hamilton 
“The best we can hope for concerning the people at large is that they be properly armed.”

Benjamin Franklin
“Democracy is two wolves and a lamb voting on what to have for dinner - Liberty is a well-armed lamb contesting the vote!”

In the Words of our Enemies

Adolph Hitler 
“The most foolish mistake we could possibly make would be to permit the conquered Eastern peoples to have arms. History teaches that all conquerors who have allowed their subjects races to carry arms have prepared their own downfall by doing so.”

Vladimir Lenin 
“One man with a gun can control 100 without one.”

It is your choice which type of leader you get. We need to protect our Constitutional Rights by educating all Americans and becoming active in our political process. We need to hold our elected officials accountable.

If you listen to your leaders or those wanting to become your leaders, they will tell you who they are and what they wish to do. Believe them if they tell you they want to limit your constitutional rights, especially your Second Amendment Rights. It is up to you—protect and defend your rights bestowed upon you by the architects of liberty and freedom, or live under the tyranny of those who wish to destroy them.

—Heidi Lyn Rao

Latest

YES Logo Lede
YES Logo Lede

NRA Youth Education Summit Applications Now Open for 2027

The Y.E.S. program gives rising high school juniors and seniors the opportunity to step beyond the classroom and experience American government, history and the Constitution firsthand.

Remington Launches Branded Hunting Dog Products

Remington-branded pet products are now available in approximately 275 Walmart stores nationwide and on Chewy.com, extending the brand's reach into the growing pet category.

Team PROOF Research Women Finish on Top at 2026 IPRF World Championship

Kate Estes of Huffman, Texas, captured 1st place and World Champion title in the Ladies Division, followed by teammate Grace Vaughn of Oviedo, Fla., finishing in an impressive 4th place.

Survival Items to Keep in Your Hunting Pack

If you hunt off the beaten path, it doesn’t hurt to throw a few extra items in your pack in case of emergency.

Self-Defense Tools While Traveling

What tools can you pack if you can’t take a gun on your travels?

The Armed Citizen® October 2, 2026

It reads like the surprise ending of a Saturday morning cartoon, but when police unmasked an intruder’s identity, the would-be victim was shocked.

Women's Interests



Get the best of NRA Women delivered to your inbox.