What do you think the second amendment means?

Question

What do you think the second amendment means?

Answer 1

Exactly what it says.  If you try to take my guns, the guns of a law abiding citizen, then I am allowed to kill you for it.  I know it's meant to be the government taking the guns but they didn't say the government alone.  Obama is for taking our guns away and that's yet another reason to NOT vote for him.

Answer 2

Second Amendment of the United States Constitution –

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.

Because a well regulated militia is needed to secure a free state, the people (everyday American citizens) have the right to keep and bear arms and in will not be restricted, limited, etc.

I wish people would stop trying to interpret our Bill of Rights and just read them.

Answer 3

At its most basic, it was designed to ensure that the "people" could always raise a militia - against their government or a foreign invader.   You have to remember that it was written by men who had recently had to take up arms against the government - which was then the British occupation.   They wanted to make certain they always had that ability.  

By extension then, we must preserve the right for the common people to own firearms.

Answer 4

i think it means that the government cannot take away people's right to bear arms as long as they are used to protect oneself, ones state.

Answer 5

It means nine year-olds should be encouraged to carry concealed uzis and anti-tank missiles.

Answer 6

That we have the right to carry a gun...but only if your backgroudn checks out okay..which I totally agree with.

That not just the law doesnt get to use them that everyone has the chance to own and operate a fire arm.

Answer 7

It means the government has no business telling me if I can or can't own a gun, or how many or what kind of guns I can own.  Some people will say that the 2nd amendment on applies to 'a well regulated militia', but we, as the people of this country, are the militia.

Answer 8

I think it means that law abiding citizens should have the right to own a gun for protection, hunting, etc. This was created by our founding fathers and i dont want to see it stripped away by the Liberals! McCain 08!!!

Answer 9

The words "well-regulated" mean that the government (that is to say we, the people) can restrict and regulate this right.

This means some weapons will not be legal for personal use, some situations (such as carrying concealed weapons) will not be legal, and some people will not be allowed to own, posses or carry a weapon.

Answer 10

Read and come to your own conclusion.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Second_Amen...

Answer 11

It's pretty simple really. It means exactly what is says, "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."

Like every other amendment in the Bill of Rights this guarantees an individual right. The anti-federalists were worried that a constitution would make the federal government too powerful and wanted to ensure that the people could still protect their liberty.

Many quotes have been pulled from founder’s writings regarding the second amendment that give us a more in depth look at its true importance.

"The strongest reason for people to retain the right to keep and bear arms is, as a last resort, to protect themselves against tyranny in government." - Thomas Jefferson

"Firearms stand next in importance to the Constitution itself. They are the American people’s liberty teeth and the keystone under independence." - George Washington

"The beauty of the second amendment is that it will not be needed until they try to take it." - Thomas Jefferson

"I ask you sir, who are the militia? They consist now of the whole people." – George Mason

"A well regulated militia, composed of the people, trained to arms, is the best and most natural defense of a free country." –  James Madison

"I ask, sir, what is the militia? It is the whole people, except for few public officials." - George Mason