Second Amendment
Onyinyechi Gabriel
The Right to Bear Arms, is stated in The Constitution as:
"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."
Historical Background:
Before the adoption of the U.S. Constitution each of the states worked independently under the Articles of Confederation. Each state had its own militia, so idividuals serving in the militia were required to supply their own equipment, including horses and guns.
The modern militia was officially created by the National Guard Act of 1902, in which all state militias were formalized under the authority of the National Guard. Gun rights argue that since the militia included most men, the militia is now everyone. Because laws regulating firearms do not interfere with the modern militia, no gun control law has ever been overthrown by the federal courts on Second Amendment grounds.
Court Case: District of Columbia v. Heller (2008)
Columbia gave their people the right to bear arms. The firearm must be unloaded, on safety and etc.. Now some people suit claiming the laws violated their second amendment rights. The Supreme Court said that it only applied to the militia, and not private gun owner ship. 2-1 of the court said it applies to the people so they took the case.
In a 5-4 decision the court said the second amendment protects individual rights. To carry a firearm for lawful purposes such as self defense in your home.