“False is the idea of utility that sacrifices a thousand real advantages for one imaginary or trifling inconvenience; that would take fire from men because it burns, and water because one may drown in it; that has no remedy for evils except destruction. The laws that forbid the carrying of arms are laws of such a nature. They disarm only those who are neither inclined nor determined to commit crime. Such laws make things worse for the assaulted and better for the assailants; they serve rather to encourage than prevent homicides, for an unarmed man may be attacked with greater confidence than an armed man.” –Thomas Jefferson, quoting 18th century criminologist Cesare Beccaria in “On Crimes and Punishment”, 1764

“That rifle on the wall of the labourer’s cottage or working class flat is the symbol of democracy. It our job to see that it stays there.” – George Orwell

“If someone has a gun and is trying to kill you, it would be reasonable to shoot back with your own gun.” – Dalai Lama, Tibet

“When the miser prefers his gold to justice, it is through no fault of the gold, but of the man, and so with every created thing.” – Saint Augustine

“I prefer dangerous freedom over peaceful slavery.” – Thomas Jefferson

“An armed society is a polite society.” – Robert Heinlein

“Are we at last brought to such a humiliating and debasing degradation, that we cannot be trusted with arms for our own defense?” – Patrick Henry

“The very atmosphere of firearms anywhere and everywhere restrains evil interference – they deserve a place of honor with all that’s good.” – George Washington

Lots of quotes from here… Hell, I probably should have just linked it and left it at that.