Government is an evil - and handguns to enforce the right to life of their owners are, too. The Constitution says that the federal government is necessary - and that private citizens exercise their own judgement as to the necessity of keeping and bearing arms.SOME writers have so confounded society with government, as to leave little or no distinction between them; whereas they are not only different, but have different origins.Society in every state is a blessing, but Government, even in its best state, is but a necessary evil . . . - Thomas Paine, Common Sense (1776)Society is produced by our wants, and government by our wickedness;the former promotes our happiness POSITIVELY by uniting our affections, the latter NEGATIVELY by restraining our vices.
The one encourages intercourse, the other creates distinctions.
The first is a patron, the last a punisher.
That Tom Paine fellow sure knew what he was talking about.