|
|
|
word "government" the words, "and every citizen has the
right to bear arms in defense of himself and the State. "
Mr. Garey moved to amend the amendment by insert-
ing the word "white" after the word "every. "
Mr. Jones hoped the gentleman from Baltimore (Mr.
Garey) would withdraw his amendment. Every citizen
of the State means every white citizen, and none other.
Mr. Garey withdrew his amendment.
Mr. Gill opposed any change in the article.
Mr. Brown thought it would be a dangerous thing to
insert this declaration. Everyone who knows anything
about criminal law knows that it is a presumption of evil
intent to go about armed. Why should they declare this
principle in these civilized times? It is the usage of bar-
barians, not of enlightened people. If this broad decla-
ration was put in the Bill of Rights, he did not see how
you could disarm any man, drunk or sober, as he could
throw himself on his reserved rights.
Mr. Garey read from the constitution of the United
States: "The right of the people to keep and bear arms
shall not be infringed. " He considered the proposed
amendment entirely in accordance with the constitution
of the United States, and that it should be adopted.
Mr. Jones said that for the very reason that it was in
the constitution of the United States, he hoped it wo::
not be inserted here. That was amply sufficient.
Mr. Barnes offered the following amendment, to be in-
serted at the end of the article: "and the citizen shall not
be deprived of the right to keep arms on his premises. "
Rejected.
The amendment of Mr. Giddings was then rejected.
Articles 29 and 30 were passed over without amend-
ment.
Article 31 was read, as follows:
"That no soldier shall, in time of peace, be quartered
in any house without the consent of the owner; nor in
time of war, except in the manner prescribed by law. "
Mr. Barnes moved to amend by inserting after the
151
|
|
|
|
 |
