In the twentieth century more people were killed by violence committed by their own governments than died in actual combat in all that century’s wars. The government of a free South shall have no monopoly on the ability to do violence. The God-given right of self-defence and self-protection is inalienable and is not merely limited to defence from criminal violence, but also from government violence. A free people must have more power than those who would seek to destroy their rights, or they will not remain free. The best check – the ultimate check – against government tyranny is an armed citizenry that will not hesitate to oppose force with force. For this reason the right to keep and bear arms, especially military arms, shall be inviolate and secure from modification for all citizens of a free South and its member States, excepting only aliens and convicted felons.