“Before a standing army can rule, the people must be disarmed; as they are in almost every kingdom of Europe. The supreme power in America cannot enforce unjust laws by the sword; because the whole body of the people are armed, and constitute a force superior to any band of regular troops that can be, on any pretence, raised in the United States.” —Noah Webster (1787)

The kingdoms in Europe had disarmed their people all the way back in 1787.   Our American leadership was determined we would never be subject to the same conditions.  And, yet some folks haven’t learned this valuable lesson even today.