Definition

The Second Amendment to the United States Constitution 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.” The Second Amendment has been the cornerstone of Americans’ right to maintain guns.

Example

Questions

1. What right is protected by The Second Amendment?

2. The Second Amendment to the United States Constitution 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.” What is your interpretation of what the Framers meant by these words?

3. Why did the Framers think militias were so important?

4. What were the Framers worried could happen to a citizenry without militias or weapons?

5. What does The Second Amendment look like as an emoji?

6. If you had to rank the 10 amendments of the Bill of Rights from most to least important, where would The Second Amendment rank?

7. How does The Second Amendment most directly impact you?

8. How would the U.S. be different without The Second Amendment?

9. Identify the most important Second Amendment cases you have studied this year.

10. Selective incorporation is the process by which the Supreme Court has ruled that because of the 14th Amendment’s Equal protections clause, the rights of the bill of rights exist for all Americans in all states. What court case incorporated Second Amendment rights?

Remember!

Now, let’s commit this term to our long-term memory. On a scrap piece of paper, take 10 or 20 seconds to draw The Second Amendment! Draw with symbols or stick figures if you wish. Nothing fancy. Don’t expect a masterpiece. No one else will see this but you. Look at your drawing. That’s all - now it’s downloaded into your memory. Destroy the piece of paper in a most delightful way.

Further Review!