2nd Amendment Day

The Constitution doesn't grant or create rights; it recognizes and protects rights that inherently exist. The Second Amendment to the United States Constitution was adopted in 1791. It is part of the Bill of Rights, the first ten amendments. It gives American citizens the right to bear arms. This means that people can keep weapons such as guns to protect themselves. Interest-balancing means we balance a right with other interests.

The Court explains that in order to keep the nation free (“security of a free state”), then the people need arms: “When the able-bodied men of a nation are trained in arms and organized, they are better able to resist tyranny" (p.24-25).