The right of the people to keep and bear arms shall not be infringed. A well-regulated militia, composed of the body of the people, trained to arms, is the best and most natural defense of a free country.”

-James Madison, June 8, 1789, I Annals of Congress 434

“I ask who are the militia? They consist now of the whole people, except a few public officers.”

- George Mason, June 4, 1788, Address to the Virginia Ratifying Convention

"A well regulated militia, composed of the Yeomanry of the country, have ever been considered as the bulwark of a free people.”

• Alexander Hamilton

Read also the Federalist papers, especially 29 and 46.