What does this saying mean when dealing with guns? "I'd rather be judged by 12, than carried by 6." ?

Question

What does this saying mean when dealing with guns? "I'd rather be judged by 12, than carried by 6." ?

Answer 1

it means: i'd rather be judged by twelve jurors than carried by six, like in my coffin.  get it?  

Answer 2

I would assume it is a reference to being judged by a jury of 12 people, at a funeral your casket is carried by 6 people most times.

Answer 3

It means that if your life is in danger then shoot the perp.

Then you may be judged by 12 (a jury) or carried by 6 (the usual amount of pall bearers) because you are dead.