ARTICLE II.
RIGHT TO BEAR ARMS.
A well-regulated militia being necessary to the security of a free state, the right of the people to keep and bear arms shall not be infringed.
It should not be the policy of a republic to keep a large standing army. An army is expensive, it takes so many men from productive industries, and it is dangerous to liberty—it may from its training become the instrument of tyranny.
But a republic must have defenders against foes foreign or domestic. A well-trained militia may be depended upon to fight with valor against a foreign foe, and may at the same time serve as a check upon usurpation.
For definition of militia, see page 162.