Bill of Rights 2nd Amendment - Essay Example

Download file to see previous pages... 1). Arms in this case include any kind of firearms (handguns, rifles, and shotgun among others). The Second Amendment, as intended by the founding fathers, gives individuals the constitutional right to bear arms although the state reserves the mandate to regulate their ownership and use. This paper will analyze the Second Amendment to the Constitution of the United States in light of its history and controversial nature.
Although the Second Amendment was ratified in December 1791, it was passed by Congress on September 25, 1789 (National Constitution Center par. 1). The history of the Second Amendment to the American Constitution traces its roots to the English law which held that people have natural rights to defend themselves against aggression. Before the American Revolution English Settlers in America held the view that the right to bear arms or state militia was important for several reasons. Some of the reasons that that they assigned to bearing arms included: to repel invasion; to facilitate self-defense; for law enforcement; to suppress insurrection; to prevent tyrannical government; and to enable the organization of a militia system (Adams 47). This was indeed the case in the different states that today make up the United States as evidenced by their individual constitutions. For example, the Constitution of Pennsylvania expressly stated that the people have a right to arms for which they can use to defend the state or themselves.
Before the American Revolution took place, colonists who pledged their allegiance to the British government bore arms, forming a colonial militia (Adams 82). However, with the passage of time some colonists developed mistrust for the British government and by extension, distrust toward those who were loyal to it. The colonists who favored independence from British rule established colonial legislatures that were free of the control of the British government. They used these ...Download file to see next pagesRead More