George Washington (1732-1799) is often credited with saying:
 
“When a nation mistrusts its citizens with guns it is it sending a clear message. It no longer trusts its citizens because such a government has evil plans.”
 
Washington never said it. The saying appeared in a pamphlet,  The American Wisdom Series, Pamphlet #230: “President George Washington’s Thoughts on Firearms” (2002?) by Joe Spenner. The anti-gun saying is often accompanied with a photo of Dianne Feinstein, a senator from California who frequently sponsors gun control legislation.
     
“This holiday was made possible by citizens with guns” (Independence Day) is a related saying.
     
   
The American Wisdom Series
(Dated on the Wayback Machine to at least July 22, 2002.—ed.)
Presents
Pamphlet #230
“President George Washington’s Thoughts on Firearms”
by Joe Spenner
When any, nation mistrusts it’s citizens with guns,
it is sending a clear message.
 
IT no longer trusts its citizens,
BECAUSE SUCH A GOVERNMENT HAS EVIL PLANS!
   
The News Dispatch (Michigan City, IN)
NRA should support ban on weapons
Published: Wednesday, December 26, 2012 5:06 PM CST
(...)
COMMENTS
Words from Washington wrote on Dec 31, 2012 12:25 PM:
” Remember these words:
“When a nation mistrusts it’s citizens with guns it is it sending a clear message, it no longer trusts it’s citizens because such a government has evil plans.”
George Washington “
 
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Gun Rights
March 1, 2013 ·
“When any nation mistrusts its citizens with guns it is sending a clear message: it no longer trusts its citizens because such a government has evil plans” - George Washington
   
The Turner Report
FRIDAY, MARCH 29, 2013
Ed Emery: Protecting your gun rights and quoting George Washington
(...)
To quote President George Washington once more, “When any nation mistrusts its citizens with guns, it is sending a clear message: it no longer trusts its citizens, because such a government has evil plans.”
Posted by Randy at 12:21 PM
 
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CRUCIFIX
‏@CrucifixMusic
“When any nation mistrusts it’s citizens with guns, it’s sending a clear message. It no longer trusts… http://instagram.com/p/YS-ScaHJRc/
1:32 PM - 19 Apr 2013
 
Stack Exchange—Skeptics
Was George Washington the source of this quote equating government gun control with evil intentions?
(...)
Conclusion:
The attribution to Washington is most likely an error.
 
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Thunderbird Tactical shared Patriot Ordnance Factory’s photo.
April 29, 2013 ·
“When any nation mistrusts it’s citizens with guns, it is sending a clear message it no longer trusts it’s citizens because such a government has evil plans.” - George Washington