Thomas Jefferson's perspective on the Right to Bear Arms

[Pain Killer]

"Laws that forbid the carrying of arms... disarm only those who are neither inclined nor determined to commit crimes... Such laws make things worse for the assaulted and better for the assailants; they serve rather to encourage than to prevent homicides, for an unarmed man may be attacked with greater confidence than an armed man." Jefferson's "Commonplace Book," 1774-1776, quoting from On Crimes and Punishment, by criminologist Cesare Beccaria, 1764)

[Fred]

 
   Some of the wording on that quote sounds suspiciously "modern". Can you cite a source? Or check its authenticity via a google search?

[Pain Killer]

http://www.monticello.org/site/jefferson/laws-forbid-carrying-armsquotation

This is not a modern quote, but I do stand corrected,it is a favorite passage of Thomas Jefferson


"Laws that forbid the carrying of arms...disarm only those who are neither inclined nor determined to commit crimes.... Such laws make things worse for the assaulted and better for the assailants; they serve rather to encourage than to prevent homicides, for an unarmed man may be attacked with greater confidence than an armed man." (Jefferson's "Commonplace Book," 1774-1776, quoting from On Crimes and Punishment, by criminologist Cesare Beccaria, 1764)

Another great reference concerning Thomas Jefferson's ideas on the Right to Bear Arms

http://www.madisonbrigade.com/t_jefferson.htm

[Pain Killer]

I updated the title to better reflect the passage.

Thanks,
PK