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"You cannot invade the mainland United States. There would be a rifle behind every blade of grass." - Yamamoto, hesitating to attack the USA mainland directly.
by ctdonath 12y ago
"You cannot invade the mainland United States. There would be a rifle behind every blade of grass." - Yamamoto, hesitating to attack the USA mainland directly. (Though possibly apocryphal, the quote summarizes the "national security" justification. Among other issues, defending against a modern direct assault would be hampered by the lack of civilian-owned arms which would be significantly more advanced if not for the NFA et al bans.)
- the_af 12y agoYes, the quote is probably apocryphal. I think the sentiment is misguided: once it's up to civilians wielding small arms, it's not a matter of national security anymore; if it's come to that, it's likely a catastrophe already. National security is the job of the army and law enforcement/intelligence agencies. I can see how having small arms in the hands of civilians would help mount a resistance movement against an occupying power, but that's not a matter of national security.