" the right to bear arms can never be abridged, or taken away."

"The game laws here discussed so much in detail, and which are said to be based on the prerogative property of the king, in all the game of the kingdom, have more extensive objects, than "the princely diversion of hunting," afforded to his majesty, and his grantees. They are no doubt intended, and kept up, as a powerful instrument of state machinery, for the purpose of retaining the mass of the people in subjection. The prohibition of keeping, or using arms, except in particular cases, although professedly for the protection of game, is admirably calculated to strengthen the physical power of the king, and weaken that of the subject. We have before seen, that by our constitution, the right to bear arms can never be abridged, or taken away."

[PENNSYLVANIA BLACKSTONE; BEING A MODIFICATION OF THE COMMENTARIES OF SIR WILLIAM BLACKSTONE, WITH  NUMEROUS ALTERATIONS AND ADDITIONS, DESIGNED TO PRESENT AN ELEMENTARY EXPOSITION OF THE ENTIRE Laws of Pennsylvania IN THREE VOLUMES. VOL. II. BY JOHN REED, President Judge of the Courts of Common Pleas of the ninth Judidal District of Pennsylvania. CARLISLE: PRINTED BY GEORGE FLEMING--FOR THE AUTHOR. 1831. Pgs. 185-86]