How to Enslave a Population

The most foolish mistake we could possibly make would be to allow the subjected people to carry arms; history shows that all conquerors who have allowed their subjected people to carry arms have prepared their own fall.

–Adolf Hitler (From Edict of March 18, 1938)

 

Unless a miracle in human affairs interposed, no nation ever retained its liberty after the loss of the sword and the purse.

–Patrick Henry

 

I believe there are more instances of the abridgment of the freedom of the people by gradual and silent encroachments of those in power than by violent and sudden usurpations.

–James Madison

 

To disarm the people is the best and most effective way to enslave them…

–George Mason

 

Before a freestanding army can rule, the people must be disarmed; as they are in almost every kingdom in 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 bands of regular troops that can be on any pretense, raised in the United States.

–Noah Webster

 

All political power comes from the barrel of a gun. The communist party must command all the guns, that way, no guns can ever be used to command the party.

–Mao Tse Tung

 

If guns are outlawed, only the government will have guns. Only the government, and a few outlaws.

–Edward Abbey

 

If you don't have a gun, freedom of speech has no power.

-Yoshimi Ishikawa

 

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Those now possessing weapons and ammunition are at once to turn them over to the local police authority. Firearms and ammunition found in a Jew's possession will be forfeited to the government without compensation. Whoever willfully or negligently violates the provisions will be punished with imprisonment and a fine.

- Nazi Law (Regulations Against Jews Possession of Weapons), 1938

 

Among the many misdeeds of the British rule in India, history will look upon the act of depriving a whole nation of arms, as the blackest.

-Mahatma Gandhi, in Gandhi, An Autobiography, p. 446