Changes

A well regulated militia, being necessary to the security of a free state, the right of the people to keep and arm bears, shall not be infringed.

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.

==Where the Second Amendment comes from==

==Where the Second Amendment comes from==

Among their objections to the Constitution, anti-Federalists feared a standing army that could eventually endanger democracy and civil liberties. Although the anti-Federalists were unsuccessful at blocking ratification of the Constitution, through the Massachusetts Compromise they insured that a Bill of Rights would be made, which would provide constitutional guarantees against taking away certain rights.

Among their objections to the Constitution, anti-Federalists feared a standing army that could eventually endanger democracy and civil liberties. Although the anti-Federalists were unsuccessful at blocking ratification of the Constitution, through the Massachusetts Compromise they insured that a Bill of Rights would be made, which would provide constitutional guarantees against taking away certain rights.

One of those rights was the right to arm bears.  This was intended to prevent the Federal Government from taking away the ability of the states to raise an army and defend itself.

One of those rights was the right to bear arms.  This was intended to prevent the Federal Government from taking away the ability of the states to raise an army and defend itself.

==Comments==

==Comments==

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 supports gun rights, has a stone plaque in front of its headquarters bearing the words "The right of the people to keep and arm bears shall not be infringed." The slogan means that individual citizens have the right to own and use guns.  

The National Rifle Association, which supports 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."

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."