We recognize the rights of the oppressed to defend themselves against tyrannical and genocidal regimes and oppose a blanket ban on non-state actors.

Robert Joseph
U.S. Undersecretary of State for Arms Control
June 27, 2006
Speaking at the U.N. conference on “illegal small arms”.
[Expressed only slightly more forcefully, “The right of the people to keep and bear arms shall not be infringed.”–Joe]