The right to bear arms is protected under which amendment?

The right to bear arms is protected under the 2nd Amendment to the United States Constitution. This amendment states, "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." The key phrases in this amendment highlight the intention to balance individual rights with the need for a collective security, emphasizing the significance of armed self-defense and the role of militias in the early republic.

Understanding the 2nd Amendment's context is crucial, as it reflects historical concerns about governance and personal liberty that were prevalent during the founding of the nation. Over time, the Supreme Court has interpreted this amendment to protect individual rights to bear arms, solidifying its role in American legal and cultural discourse.