Guns have long been a topic of discussion—whether in history, self-defense, movies, or philosophy. Some see them as a symbol of power and protection, while others reflect on their dangers and impact. Whatever your stance, gun quotes can be bold, insightful, or even humorous.
If you’re looking for the best gun quotes for captions, debates, or just to spark a conversation, you’re in the right place! Here’s a collection of some of the most compelling gun-related quotes categorized for easy browsing.
🔫 Famous Gun Quotes That Stand the Test of Time
Some quotes about guns have become legendary, whether spoken by historical figures, writers, or in pop culture.
- “The only thing that stops a bad guy with a gun is a good guy with a gun.” – Wayne LaPierre
- “An armed society is a polite society.” – Robert A. Heinlein
- “Guns are the ultimate equalizer.” – Unknown
- “A man with a gun is a citizen. A man without a gun is a subject.” – Unknown
- “A gun is like a parachute. If you need one and don’t have one, you’ll never need one again.” – Unknown
- “The right to bear arms is the last defense against tyranny.” – Thomas Jefferson (attributed)
- “I carry a gun because I can’t carry a cop.” – Unknown
- “Guns don’t kill people. People kill people.” – NRA slogan
- “When seconds count, the police are minutes away.” – Unknown
- “Owning a gun doesn’t make you armed any more than owning a guitar makes you a musician.” – Jeff Cooper
- “Self-defense is not just a right; it’s a responsibility.” – Unknown
- “To disarm the people is the most effective way to enslave them.” – George Mason
- “The best defense against evil men is good men skilled at violence.” – Unknown
- “I’d rather be judged by twelve than carried by six.” – Unknown
- “Gun control is like trying to reduce drunk driving by making it tougher for sober people to own cars.” – Unknown
🎬 Gun Quotes from Movies & TV Shows
Some of the most memorable lines about guns come straight from Hollywood.
- “Go ahead, make my day.” – Dirty Harry (1983)
- “Say hello to my little friend!” – Scarface (1983)
- “I have come here to chew bubblegum and kick ass… and I’m all out of bubblegum.” – They Live (1988)
- “This is my rifle. There are many like it, but this one is mine.” – Full Metal Jacket (1987)
- “The greatest trick the devil ever pulled was convincing the world he didn’t exist.” – The Usual Suspects (1995)
- “I am the law.” – Judge Dredd (1995)
- “You can have my gun when you pry it from my cold, dead hands.” – Charlton Heston (NRA Speech)
- “Yippee ki-yay, mother****!” – Die Hard (1988)
- “Guns. Lots of guns.” – The Matrix (1999)
- “We’re not just going to shoot the bastards. We’re going to cut out their living guts and use them to grease our tanks.” – Patton (1970)
- “Shoot first, think later.” – Cowboys & Aliens (2011)
- “A man with a gun is a man to be feared.” – True Grit (2010)
- “Some people think little girls should be seen and not heard, but I think… oh bondage, up yours!” – Tank Girl (1995)
- “You don’t need a weapon when you are one.” – John Wick (2014)
📜 Historical Gun Quotes That Shaped the World
Throughout history, leaders and thinkers have commented on guns, war, and power.
- “The strongest reason for the people to retain the right to keep and bear arms is, as a last resort, to protect themselves against tyranny in government.” – Thomas Jefferson (attributed)
- “A free people ought not only to be armed but disciplined.” – George Washington
- “The Constitution preserves ‘the advantage of being armed, which Americans possess over the people of almost every other nation.’” – James Madison
- “Firearms stand next in importance to the Constitution itself.” – George Washington
- “A well-regulated militia, being necessary to the security of a free State, the right of the people to keep and bear arms, shall not be infringed.” – U.S. Constitution, Second Amendment
- “Disarm the people—that is the best and most effective way to enslave them.” – James Madison
- “A militia, when properly formed, are in fact the people themselves.” – Richard Henry Lee
- “The gun has been called the great equalizer, meaning that a small person with a gun is equal to a large person.” – Unknown
- “If someone has a gun and is trying to kill you, it would be reasonable to shoot back with your own gun.” – Dalai Lama
- “Political power grows out of the barrel of a gun.” – Mao Zedong
- “The right to bear arms is not a privilege; it is a necessity.” – Unknown
- “A man without a weapon is a subject, not a citizen.” – Unknown
- “When the government fears the people, there is liberty. When the people fear the government, there is tyranny.” – Thomas Jefferson (attributed)
- “Guns are the teeth of liberty.” – Unknown
- “The rifle itself has no moral stature, since it has no will of its own.” – Jeff Cooper
🤣 Funny Gun Quotes to Lighten the Mood
Not all gun quotes are serious—some pack a punch with humor.
- “I have a love-hate relationship with guns. I love them, and my enemies hate that I have them.”
- “Gun control means using both hands.”
- “If guns kill people, then pencils misspell words, and cars drive drunk.”
- “Some people carry pepper spray. I prefer lead spray.”
- “Gun control? It’s being able to hit your target.”
- “Guns don’t make you paranoid. They make you prepared.”
- “I sleep better knowing my gun has my back.”
- “A gun in hand is worth two cops on the phone.”
- “I’d rather have a gun and not need it than need a gun and not have it.”
- “Peace through superior firepower.”
- “Why did the gun bring a ladder? Because it wanted to be a higher caliber.”
- “I asked my gun for advice. It said, ‘Aim high.’”
- “Guns are like duct tape—fix almost everything.”
- “A gun is a tool, but humor is my weapon of choice.”
- “The only thing more dangerous than a gun is a bad joke about one.”
Conclusion
Guns have inspired powerful words—whether for protection, philosophy, history, or humor. Whatever your view, these gun quotes offer something for everyone. Which quote was your favorite? Share it and spark a conversation! 💬
