The laws that forbid the carrying of arms are laws of such a nature. They 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.
– Thomas Jefferson, Commonplace Book (quoting 18th century criminologist Cesare Beccaria)
In the original Italian, this quote refers to all weapons, including swords, knives, and such. On rereading the 2nd amendment, it seems it should refer to all weapons, too.
In the original Italian, this quote refers to all weapons, including swords, knives, and such. On rereading the 2nd amendment, it seems it should refer to all weapons, too.