United States Constitution (Second Amendment)

The Second Amendment to the United States Constitution, ratified in 1791, protects the right of individuals to keep and bear arms. It 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." This amendment is often debated regarding the balance between the right to own guns and concerns about public safety and regulation. It serves as a foundational element in discussions about gun ownership, rights, and responsibilities in American society.