"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." Commonly attributed to Thomas Jefferson, although I can't prove it (I agree with it, though). But you know, it would've sounded kind of funny if the U.S. Supreme Court had openly stated, "The American people need to keep and bear arms in case they feel it necessary to overthrow the American government."
Or, to use the words H. Beam Piper put in the mouth of one of his characters, "Great Satan, aren't [your people armed]? ... Then your democracy's a farce, and the people are only free on sufferance. If their ballots aren't secured by arms, they're worthless." (Space Viking, 1963)
And, come to think of it, my current sig carries something of the same message.
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Big Brother is watching you. And damn, you are so bloody BORING.
Or, to use the words H. Beam Piper put in the mouth of one of his characters, "Great Satan, aren't [your people armed]? ... Then your democracy's a farce, and the people are only free on sufferance. If their ballots aren't secured by arms, they're worthless." (Space Viking, 1963)
And, come to think of it, my current sig carries something of the same message.
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Big Brother is watching you. And damn, you are so bloody BORING.