Text of the 2nd Amendment of the U.S. Constitution

Text of the Second Amendment

2nd Amendment
An open-carry advocate holds a copy of the Constitution in Fort Worth, Texas. Robert Daemmrich Photography Inc / Contributor / Getty Images
By
Martin Kelly
Martin Kelly
History Expert
  • M.A., History, University of Florida
  • B.A., History, University of Florida
Martin Kelly, M.A., is a history teacher and curriculum developer. He is the author of "The Everything American Presidents Book" and "Colonial Life: Government."
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Updated on January 07, 2019

The 2nd Amendment was ratified on December 17, 1791, along with the other nine amendments that make up the Bill of Rights. While it is a very short amendment, its exact meaning in terms of what types of weapons are protected and what constitutes a well-regulated militia is still in contention today.

Text of the 2nd Amendment

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.

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Kelly, Martin. "Text of the 2nd Amendment of the U.S. Constitution." ThoughtCo, Aug. 27, 2020, thoughtco.com/us-constitution-2nd-amendment-text-105397. Kelly, Martin. (2020, August 27). Text of the 2nd Amendment of the U.S. Constitution. Retrieved from https://www.thoughtco.com/us-constitution-2nd-amendment-text-105397 Kelly, Martin. "Text of the 2nd Amendment of the U.S. Constitution." ThoughtCo. https://www.thoughtco.com/us-constitution-2nd-amendment-text-105397 (accessed May 29, 2023).
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