Skip to content
quotesby

About this quote

What does it mean?
Free men should not be stopped from using arms on their own land.
In plain terms
People should be able to own weapons.
What can you take from it?
Arms are a right for free citizens.

Where it applies

  • policy debate
  • home safety
  • civil rights

Putting it to work

  • know your rights
  • respect laws
  • prioritize safety

Questions to consider

  • How do you view personal gun rights?
  • What balance works for society?

Another view

Debate exists over balancing rights and public safety.

More from Thomas Jefferson

  1. All persons shall have full and free liberty of religious opinion; nor shall any be compelled to frequent or maintain any religious institution.

    Permalink to quote #5
  2. In the middle ages of Christianity opposition to the State opinions was hushed. The consequence was, Christianity became loaded with all the Romish follies. No…

    Permalink to quote #7
  3. The God who gave us life, gave us liberty at the same time.

    Permalink to quote #4

Related quotes

  1. We call our country home of the brave and land of the free, but it's not. We give a false portrayal of freedom. We're not free - if we were, we'd allow people …

    Jesse VenturaJesse Ventura quote #2
  2. There is but one special interest that we should be working for, and that would solve just about all of our problems, and that is our liberty.

    Ron PaulRon Paul quote #5
  3. I am certain that nothing has done so much to destroy the juridical safeguards of individual freedom as the striving after this mirage of social justice.

    Friedrich HayekFriedrich Hayek quote #5