Yes, i remember it being from his own freewill. I think he had had it for a sufficiantly short time to allow him to do this still, hobbits seemed to be pretty resiliant to the power of the ring.
As for having to wear the ring for one to be a bearer, Tom Bombadil did wear the ring for a short time, although it didnt do anything. I agree, I wouldnt really consider Bombadil as a bearer because it was no burden for him. Perhaps this says something about the ring and the nature of Sauron's will rather than Bombadil...
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Well, I'm back.
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