The Second Amendment to the U.S. Constitution provides which right(s)?

The Second Amendment (Amendment II) to the United States Constitution protects the right of the people to keep and bear arms and was adopted on December 15, 1791, as part of the first ten amendments contained in the Bill of Rights. The Supreme Court of the United States has ruled that the right belongs to individuals, while also ruling that the right is not unlimited and does not prohibit all regulation of either firearms or similar devices. State and local governments are limited to the same extent as the federal government from infringing this right per the incorporation of the Bill of Rights.

More Info: en.wikipedia.org

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56 Comments

Larry Jones

williamrlaughlin, criminals don't obey the laws in effect now and won't obey any others that are passed. Any further legislation penalizes law abiding citizens. Not one mass murderer has been a member of the NRA. Those of you who demonize the NRA know nothing about the organization. I strongly recommend you thoroughly research the organization before offering such ignorant criticisms of them.

Marian Spitzig

I do not own a gun, but the day they say I will not be allowed to purchase one, I will immediately buy one.

Chris Braun

Do mass murderers give a darn about a gun law? Do you realize it's easier to get guns on the street, just like a 14 y/o can find marijuana easier than alcohol? Don't gang members with felonies still get caught with guns every day? Was Oklahoma City even a shooting? The guns aren't the ones killing people, and evil, hateful people will find one way or another to harm others. Always have, always will. I want the good guys to have weaponry that counter the bad guys. I don't own a gun now, but I will.

Joanne Serin

In order maintain a well-regulated militia, not for mass murders! But the Founders could never conceive of the rash of mass murders of today.

Colin Payne

We have a well regulated militia. It's called the National Guard. It's not some boneheads in Oregon or Montana.

Wendy Wilkins Valdez

It's not the right to form a militia. It's that a well REGULATED militia is related to the right to bear arms.

wandajaneburlinson

People don't seem to understand the "well-regulated" part.

Marian Clough

Larry Jones, so called law abiding gun owners are the mass murders not the smart professional criminal! Restrictions and licensing at least as much as driving a car!

john keenan jr

A well-regulated militia.

patrickdocmcwilliams

Colin Payne, The act which established the National Guard effectively put an end to State Militias. The NG is a reserve branch of the federal standing army, an institution the Founders were afraid of. Militias formed the backbone of the Confederacy during the War of the Rebellion, and were deployed in the late 19th century against labor unions and strikers. A state by definition maintains an armed force to protect its territory and powers. There is no need to include such in an enumeration of individual rights. Press, speech, religion, security from unreasonable search can be and are exercised independent of membership in any organized body, armed or not. To limit the right to bear arms to members of a state sanctioned and supported armed group would be to exclude people with physical handicaps or who are simply to old to serve. That was certainly not the intent of the Founders.

dragongrl

Marian Spitzig, why would u think (they) would say u can't buy one? Since when has that ever been an issue?

wandajaneburlinson

Kermit Stanton, people in Switzerland are more civilized than we are. People here don't seem to understand "well-regulated".

billwatsn

Colin Payne, the governor controls them and the 2 nd gives us a way to keep from ruled by the govt.

dlh

The most basic right self protection.

Robin Yerkes

Well aren’t you special Kermit Stanton,

Sassy

Chris Braun, well spoken! If the evil ones know we can and WILL defend ourselves and others, maybe then they will slow down. Maybe not but we'd clean up the gene pool a bit.