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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 opposes gun control, 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." This phrase, by itself, sounds as if it means that any individual citizen has the right to own and use guns.  

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,'' i.e. the National Guard. 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."

Gun control opponents say the amendment means anyone has the right to own and use guns. Gun control advocates say it means only that ''states'' have that right.

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.