Second amendment rights
(Redirected from Second amendment)
The term Second amendment rights refers to a 1791 amendment to the US Constitution that specifically allowed US citizens "the right to bear arms".
Context
[edit | edit source]During the American Revolution locally organized militia's had risen, initially using their own private weapons, like hunting rifles to resist the powerful army of the distant government of Great Britain. The second amendment was passed in 1791, eight years after American Indepence. It asserts that the purpose of specifically allowing citizens to bear arms is so local militias have the ability to resist invaders or repressive central government.