Fake quotes by Founding Fathers included in gun rights bill filed in Legislature

OLYMPIA, Wash. (AP) — A gun rights bill introduced at the Washington state Capitol includes some quotes falsely attributed to America's Founding Fathers.


The News Tribune reports (http://goo.gl/27c7Ti ) State Rep. Matt Shea, R-Spokane Valley, introduced the measure Friday.

House Bill 2975 would create penalties for public officials who block people from owning or buying guns.

The four-page bill devotes a page to quotes on gun ownership purportedly from the men who created the U.S. Constitution.

Researchers say at least three of the quotes used in the bill and attributed to Thomas Jefferson, George Washington and Alexander Hamilton were not said or written by them.

Here's the fake George Washington quote: “Firearms stand next in importance to the Constitution itself. They are the American people’s liberty, teeth, and keystone under independence.”

Here's the fake Thomas Jefferson quote: “Those who hammer their guns into plowshares will plow for those who do not.”

Here's the fake Alexander Hamilton quote: “The best we can help for concerning the people at large is that they be properly armed.”
A staffer speaking on Shea's behalf said on Friday that Shea is "happy to amend the legislation, if necessary, to ensure it includes only accurate information."