The preservation of the sacred fire of liberty, and the destiny of the republican model of government, are justly considered as deeply, perhaps as finally staked, on the experiment entrusted to the hands of the American people. — George Washington

My Take – All it takes is for one generation of Americans to forget how precious and lucky our situation is, and it will all be over.  Our nation is not hereditary, and our freedoms are not genetic.  A few short years of tyranny or apathy is all it will take to destroy what has taken over two centuries to build.

Let us recollect that peace or war will not always be left to our option; that however moderate or unambitious we may be, we cannot count upon the moderation, or hope to extinguish the ambition of others. — Alexander Hamilton

My Take – You may not believe in violence, but violence may still be done to you.  You may not believe in guns, but one can be used to harm you.  Just because you are an upstanding, wonderful, law-abiding person doesn’t mean that someone  with less respect for human life won’t take advantage of your pacifistic ways and take what is yours or even your life.  Being prepared to do harm to protect yourself and those you hold dear does not mean you are looking for a fight.  Rather, it means that you are prepared to survive the fight if one is forced upon you.