evidence: Washington gave a political speech, and in that speech he specifically says that a free people ought to bear arms. Washington did not need to make that point to advocate a strong national government hand in the national defense. He could have done that without mentioning that a free people ought to bear arms. The phrase fulfills one central purpose: It served to assure his audience that he recognized the importance of an armed population to serve as a check on government tyranny. [...] As a proponent of a strong central government, Washington favored the speedy acceptance of the Constitution as a matter of national security. Washington’s preference on this issue has no obvious importance to his view of citizens’ gun rights as a check on government tyranny. Washington believed that once the Constitution was ratified then Congress and the people could add amendments later. History proved his belief. [...] Owen, Sue. "Louie Gohmert Says George Washington Said a Free People Should Be Armed to Guard against Government Tyranny." PolitiFact Texas. PolitiFact/Austin American-Statesman, 3 Jan. 2013. Web. 08 Jan. 2013.