Bill of Rights
HIS-311
Bill of Rights
James Madison wrote the first ten amendments to the Constitution known as the Bill of Rights. The ten amendments were written in response to the calls from several states that wanted protection for individual rights. The Bill of Rights lists specific limits on government power. On December 15, 1791, Virginia’s legislature was last to approve the Bill of Rights. This paper will focus on the second amendment of the Bill of Rights and why the founding fathers added the amendment.
Today, the Bill of Rights is still being used all over The United States especially the first and second amendment. However this paper will focus on the second amendment since many think that owning a gun is exercising their second amendment rights to bear arms. The second 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.” (Foner & Garraty, 2014). The second amendment was created due to both Federalists and Antifederalists not trusting the government. The founding fathers and framers recognized that the common public purpose of preserving freedom would be served by protecting each individual's right to arms, thus empowering the people to resist tyranny and preserve the republic. (Vandercoy, 2016)
Over the years, the second amendment has been interpreted as the right for individuals to own guns, which many people believe is why the National Rifle Association (NRA) was created. Although a pair of Union soldiers founded the National Rifle association in 1871, the organization has become the face of America’s pro-gun lobby. (Garrett, 2014)
Since then many attempts to making new laws that will make owning a gun illegal, has been declined due to many saying it will be unconstitutional. However, stricter laws have been implemented when it comes to purchasing and owing gun. For example, guns could not be sold to anyone that...