Learning about the Constitution and the history behind it can be a daunting task. In order to better understand the rights it discusses and how it is the framework for all other laws in the United States, you must first understand each Amendment individually. This includes the Second Amendment, which is often referenced in self-defense discussions.
Adopted in 1791, the Second Amendment states that it is the right of the people to “keep and bear arms” in self-defense. George Washington, Ben Franklin, and James Madison all contributed to what later became known as the Constitution of the United States. In it, it contained both the right to a well-regulated militia and for citizens to be able to bear arms. According to the Legal Dictionary, the House also approved a committee to rewrite it in 1789 as the version you know today. From there, it was formally made part of the Bill of Rights in late 1791.
Today, it is still a popular topic to discuss. There are also many modern court cases where the court clarifies certain aspects of the Amendment, such as United States v Jack Miller in 1939 or McDonald v Chicago in 2010. Both cases dealt with self-defense and the banning of some form of handguns or firearms. Many of these cases end up going all the way to the Supreme Court, where they attract attention from various public groups.
The Second Amendment is one that will continue to be relevant in today’s world for the foreseeable future. Learning about the history and context of it can help you better understand the meaning of it.
