John AdamsJohn Adams, (1735-1826) Founding Father, 2nd US President

John Adams Quote

“Resistance to sudden violence, for the preservation not only of my person, my limbs and life, but of my property, is an indisputable right of nature which I have never surrendered to the public by the compact of society, and which perhaps, I could not surrender if I would. Nor is there anything in the common law of England ... inconsistent with that right.”

John AdamsJohn Adams
~ John Adams

BOSTON GAZETTE, September 5, 1763, The Works of John Adams, p.438 (Charles F. Adams ed., 1851).

Ratings and Comments


Mike, Norwalk

A very good explanation of unalienable right(s).

J Carlton, Calgary

Gun grabbers are by definition "Anti-American". They know nothing of morality either.

jim k, Austin,Tx

If you don't have a way to protect yourself in your home, you are making a mistake. You may have one of those security services with an alarm ,but they still have to call the cops and you have to wait for them to arrive. Of course , you can always visit with the burglar while you wait.

Waffler, Smith

Of course this is correct. He is talking about self-defence.

E Archer, NYC

I like "an indisputable right of nature which I have never surrendered to the public by the compact of society." Many believe that in order to live in society we have to 'sacrifice' some of our rights for the 'safety' of 'society.' As Waffler has pointed out, how can you exercise your natural born right to defend yourself from armed violence when 'society' demands that you be unarmed for the 'safety' of others? The debate about gun rights today is indeed whether the right to 'bear arms' is an individual right or a right for the militia only -- which has now been redefined as government armed forces and police. Waffler, where does my right to self-defense go when it is an unlawful government agent threatening me with sudden violence?

Waffler, Smith

There are no unlawful government agents. If there are then take them to court. If you lose and keep your opinion etceter turn yourself in to the asylum. That guy that shot at and killed government agents at Ruby Ridge and then lost his wife in the resulting shoot out is sorry for the attitude that he had which is just like yours Archer. Guys like him and you Archer and Mike are nothing more than just petty dictators who see no reason to agree with anyone about anything and only wish to be a law unto yourselfs. The way I see it y'all have all ready gotten your rewards which are petty, trifling sad lives. You are always entitled to use your gun Archer, but be prepared to answer for yourself and justify your actions in court. You however being a superior person and above everyone else (like a dictator) feel uncompelled to answer to anyone, just like little Mikey.

Mike, Norwalk

Waffler, the point is, if you could get an unlawful government's agent to court, where would you be? In the unlawful government's court. If you expect any lawful or just endings in an unlawful government's court you should turn yourself in to the asylum just for being so gullible, naive, and down right stupid. There is little to no lawful issues and, no real constitutional issues allowed in the unlawful government's courts. That thing about you taking the handle Waffler so you could laugh about lying is very apparent. How are Archer or I petty dictators when we don't want any compelled compliance, victimless crimes, license, or governmental larceny? Waffler, you lie out of both sides of your month.

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