What Is The Second Amendment And How Is It Defined

Right to Bear Arms

The Second Amendment to the United States Constitution protects the right to keep and bear arms.

What does the 2nd amendment mean in simple terms?

“The Second Amendment protects an individual right to possess a firearm unconnected with service in a militia, and to use that arm for traditionally lawful purposes, such as self-defense within the home.”

What is the 2nd amendment in simple terms for kids?

The Second Amendment to the United States Constitution was adopted in 1791. It gives American citizens the right to bear arms. This means that people can keep weapons such as guns to protect themselves.

SECOND AMENDMENT

BEARING ARMS

A well-regulated Militia is necessary

for the security of a free State,

the right of the people to

keep and bear Arms shall not be infringed.

Despite extensive recent discussion and much legislative action concerning the regulation of the purchase, possession, and transportation of firearms, as well as proposals to substantially curtail ownership of firearms; there is no definitive resolution by the courts of just what right the Second Amendment protects.

The Opposing theories, perhaps oversimplified, are an ‘‘individual rights’’ thesis whereby individuals are protected in ownership, possession,

and transportation, and a ‘‘states’ rights’’ thesis whereby it is said the purpose of the clause is to protect the States in their authority to maintain formal, organized militia units.

Whatever The Amendment may mean,

It is a bar only to federal action, not

extending to the state or private restraints.

The Supreme Court has given effect to the dependent clause of the Amendment in the only case in which it has tested a congressional enactment against the constitutional prohibition, seeming to affirm individual protection but

only in the context of maintaining a militia or

other such public force.

In United States v. Miller,

The Court sustained a statute requiring registration under the

National Firearms Act of sawed-off