I'm nearly certain I've asked you directly 2 different times in this thread which ones were not legit
Ok. Seems to me that if you're posting the quotes without knowledge of the source material, the burden of proof would be on you. However, if you insist:
“Firearms stand next in importance to the Constitution itself. They are the American people’s liberty teeth and keystone under independence.” – George Washington
Complete fabrication.
“The best we can hope for concerning the people at large is that they be properly armed.” – Alexander Hamilton.
An out-of-context elision of Hamilton's words when actually arguing for select corps of militia for national defense. In context:
"But so far from viewing the matter in the same light with those who object to select corps as dangerous, were the Constitution ratified and were I to deliver my sentiments to a member of the federal legislature on the subject of a militia establishment, I should hold to him, in the substance, the following discourse:
"The project of disciplining all the militia of the United States is as futile as it would be injurious if it were capable of being carried into execution. A tolerable expertness of military movements is a business that requires time and practice. It is not a day, nor a week nor even a month, that will suffice for the attainment of it. To oblige the great body of the yeomanry and of the other classes of the citizens to be under arms for the purpose of going through military exercises and evolutions, as often as might be necessary to acquire the degree of perfection which would entitle them to the character of a well-regulated militia, would be a real grievance to the people and a serious public inconvenience and loss. It would form an annual deduction from the productive labor of the country to an amount which, calculating upon the present members of the people, would not fall far short of a million pounds. To attempt a thing which would abridge the mass of labor and industry to so considerable an extent would be unwise: and the experiment, if made, could not succeed, because it would not long be endured.
Little more can reasonably be aimed at with respect to the people at large than to have them properly armed and equipped;
and in order to see that this be not neglected, it will be necessary to assemble them once or twice in the course of a year.
But though the scheme of disciplining the whole nation must be abandoned as mischievous or impracticable; yet it is a matter of the utmost importance that a well-digested plan should, as soon as possible, be adopted for the proper establishment of the militia. The attention of the government ought particularly to be directed to the formation of a select corps of moderate size, upon such principles as will really fit it for service in case of need. By thus circumscribing the plan, it will be possible to have an excellent body of well-trained militia ready to take the field whenever the defense of the State shall require it.
This will not only lessen the call for military establishments, but if circumstances should at any time oblige the government to form an army of any magnitude that army can never be formidable to the liberties of the people while there is a large body of citizens, little if at all inferior to them in discipline and the use of arms, who stand ready to defend their own rights and those of their fellow-citizens"
“I prefer dangerous freedom over peaceful slavery.” – Thomas Jefferson.
Paraphrase of Jefferson quoting a Latin proverb in a letter to Madison. Zero relevance to the issue.
“To disarm the people is the most effectual way to enslave them.” – George Mason.
Forty years ago, when the resolution of enslaving America was formed in Great Britain, the British Parliament was advised by an artful man, who was governor of Pennsylvania, to disarm the people; that it was the best and most effectual was to enslave them; but that they should not do it openly, but weaken them, and let them sink gradually, by totally disusing and neglecting the militia.
George Mason, June 14, 1788, The Debates in the Several State Conventions on the Adooption of the Federal Constitution, 2nd ed. (1861), Jonathan Elliot, v. 3, p. 380.
“Before a standing army can rule, the people must be disarmed, as they are in almost every country in Europe.” – Noah Webster.
Pretty much in-context as an argument against keeping a standing army.
“Americans have the right and advantage of being armed, unlike the people of other countries, whose leaders are afraid to trust them with arms.” – James Madison.
Elided from a much longer passage about state militias (NOT individuals with guns) being a check against potential tyranny of an standing army. Basically an argument that a standing army would not be a threat to newly-won liberty.
“Those who would give up essential liberty to purchase a little temporary safety, deserve neither liberty nor safety.” – Benjamin Franklin.
Legit quote from Franklin's letters, also completely out of context. Zero relevance to guns.
“A free people ought to be armed.” – George Washington.
Again, elided. The full quote:
"A free people ought not only to be armed, but disciplined; to which end a Uniform and well digested plan is requisite: And their safety and interest require that they should promote such manufactories, as tend to render them independent others, for essential, particularly for military supplies.
The proper establishment of the Troops which may be deemed indispensible, will be entitled to mature consideration. In the arrangements which may be made respecting it, it will be of importance to conciliate the comfortable support of the Officers and Soldiers with a due regard to economy."
Once again, a discussion of militias, and debatable as to the individual right.
“No free man shall ever be debarred the use of arms.” – Thomas Jefferson.
"No Freeman shall be debarred the use of arms in his own lands or tenements."
From early drafts of the Virgina constitution, not adopted. And, again, predicated on the the debate between a standing army vs. state militias.
Triggered?
