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2nd Amendment

What is the 2nd Amendment?
The 2nd Amendment is about the Right to Bear Arms and often referred to as the Right to Bear Arms Amendment.

Summary of the 2nd Amendment
Summary: The 2nd Amendment states that people have the right to keep a weapon and to use it to protect themselves.

2nd Amendment - Right to Bear Arms
George Washington was the first American President who served in office from April 30, 1789 to March 4, 1797. One of the key events during his presidency was the ratification of the 2nd Amendment to the Constitution. The first 10 Amendments to the Constitution are collectively known as the Bill of Rights. The Bill of Rights, which includes the 2nd amendment, was ratified (meaning approved) on December 15, 1791.

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2nd Amendment Simplified Summary
A simplified summary of the 2nd Amendment is:

The Right to Bear Arms

2nd Amendment Text - The Second Amendment
The original full text of the 2nd Amendment of the Constitution is as follows:

Original Text

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.

Cause and Reason for the 2nd Amendment
The cause or reason for this addition to the Constitution was due to experiences with the British who had attempted to suppress the activities of the Militia. Americans looked for a written right that allowed them to keep weapons to defend their families and their country. 

2nd Amendment Meaning, Explanation and Summary
The outrage of the early colonists against the treatment, and the laws, imposed by the British led to the addition of the Bill of Rights to the Constitution. The meaning of the words and phrases in the 2nd addition to the Constitution are explained as follows:

Meaning of the Words

"A well regulated Militia..."

Meaning: When the text was written the militia referred to those civilians trained as soldiers but not part of the regular army. The early colonists depended on the part-time militia to defend them or to maintain law and order. The word 'regulated' was important as it reflected the need for such a force to be both organized and disciplined - this was not always the case during the American Revolutionary War. But, as the new nation had no standing army, every citizen was called upon to fight for their country

"...being necessary to the security of a free State..."

Meaning: The militia was seen as necessary to have the ability to fight for liberty in a state

"...the right of the people to keep and bear Arms, shall not be infringed. "

Meaning: Some argue that the right to bear arms relates to the militia (or the National Guard), whereas others believe that it is "the right of the people to keep and bear Arms". The source of an on-going debate on the subject of gun control.

Meaning of the Words of the Second Amendment, the Right to Bear Arms

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3rd Amendment

Who wrote the 2nd Amendment of the Constitution?
James Madison, the "Father of the Constitution", wrote the 2nd Amendment in 1789 as one of the first 10 amendments collectively known as the Bill of Rights. The 2nd amendment about the Right to Bear Arms was ratified on December 15, 1791.

Original Text

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.

President George Washington Video
The article on the 2nd Amendment of the Constitution provides the text, definition and history of one of the major achievements of his presidential term in office. The following video will give you additional important facts and dates about the political events experienced by the 2nd American President whose presidency spanned from April 30, 1789 to March 4, 1797.

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