George Mason Amendment Quotations

Who are the militia? They consist now of the whole people, except a few public officers. But I cannot say who will be the militia of the future day. If that paper on the table [the Constitution] gets no alteration, the militia of the future day may not consist of all classes, high and low, and rich and poor. ...

Who are the militia, if they be not the people of this country...? I ask, who are the militia? They consist of now of the whole people, except a few public officers.

I ask you sir, who are the militia? They consist now of the whole people.

I ask, sir, what is the militia? It is the whole people except for a few public officials.