6-12-1776: Virginia Declaration of Rights; “That the people have a right to keep and bear arms; that a well regulated militia, composed of the body of the people trained to arms, is the proper, natural, and safe defence of a free state.”

A Declaration of Rights made by the Representatives of the People of Virginia, “That the people have a right to keep and bear arms; that a well regulated militia, composed of the body of the people trained to arms, is the proper, natural, and safe defence of a free state.”, June 12, 1776