What right is protected by the Second Amendment?

The Second Amendment of the United States Constitution specifically protects the right to bear arms. 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." This indicates the founders' intent to ensure that individuals have the ability to possess and carry weapons, which has been interpreted in various ways over the years, including debates over gun control and individual ownership of firearms.

The focus on this right stems from the historical context of the time when the amendment was ratified, reflecting the belief in the necessity of self-defense and the maintenance of a militia for the security of a free state. In modern legal contexts, this right has been upheld and affirmed by various court rulings, notably by the Supreme Court in cases like District of Columbia v. Heller. This emphasizes the importance of the Second Amendment as a constitutional protection for individuals to own and carry weapons for lawful purposes.