Difference between revisions of "Second Amendment"
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The meaning of this amendment is controversial with respect to gun control. | The meaning of this amendment is controversial with respect to gun control. | ||
| − | The National Rifle Association, which | + | The National Rifle Association, which support gun rights, has a stone plaque in front of its headquarters bearing the words "The right of the people to keep and bear arms shall not be infringed." The slogan means that individual citizens have the right to own and use guns. |
| − | The problem is that when the entire sentence is quoted, the first part makes it sound as if the amendment is talking only about the ''militia | + | The problem is that when the entire sentence is quoted, the first part makes it sound as if the amendment is talking only about the ''militia''. The phrase "the people" can be read as meaning "the states." |
| − | Gun | + | Gun right advocates say the amendment means individuals have the right to own and use guns. Gun control advocates say it means only that ''states'' have that right. |
The Supreme Court has for the most part left gun control up to the states. The decisions that the Supreme Court has made about gun control do not state definitively which of the possible meanings they agree with. | The Supreme Court has for the most part left gun control up to the states. The decisions that the Supreme Court has made about gun control do not state definitively which of the possible meanings they agree with. | ||
Revision as of 08:45, March 11, 2007
A well regulated militia, being necessary to the security of a free state, the right of the people to keep and bear arms, shall not be infringed.
Comments
The meaning of this amendment is controversial with respect to gun control.
The National Rifle Association, which support gun rights, has a stone plaque in front of its headquarters bearing the words "The right of the people to keep and bear arms shall not be infringed." The slogan means that individual citizens have the right to own and use guns.
The problem is that when the entire sentence is quoted, the first part makes it sound as if the amendment is talking only about the militia. The phrase "the people" can be read as meaning "the states."
Gun right advocates say the amendment means individuals have the right to own and use guns. Gun control advocates say it means only that states have that right.
The Supreme Court has for the most part left gun control up to the states. The decisions that the Supreme Court has made about gun control do not state definitively which of the possible meanings they agree with.
As of 2006, people argue about the meaning of the Second Amendment, but there is no definitive answer.