Amendment+2W6


 * 2-W7**

Focus questions: 1. What issues prompted the creation of your amendment? 2. What impact did your amendment have on society at that time? Our definition: The right to own a weapon to use for self defense will not be violated.

Research Questions 1. Does the amendment have an age restriction? Yes the amendment does have an age restriction. It is currently 18, but it might eventually change to 21.

2. What does the right to bear arms mean? The right to bear arms means we the people have the right to own and carry types of weapons in order to protect ourselves.

3. Did it allow any weapon? Not all weapons are allowed. Simple self defense weapons are allowed like knives, clubs, maces, pistols, rifles, etc. Nuclear devices, explosives, chemical weapons, land mines, etc. are not allowed.

4. Did this amendment include everyone? When did amendment was first passed slaves were not allowed to own weapons. Once slavery was over, everyone had this right.

5. Has the meaning of the 2nd amendment changed over the years? Yes, at first only the state militias (citizens trained as soldiers, but not part of the regular army) had this right, but as time passed the amendment definition changed so that citizens could also own a gun.

6. Do all states allow carrying all types of gun? No some states don't allow the open carry of handguns, like California and New York, while others don't allow long guns, Florida and California.

7. Is there amaximum number of weapons you can own? There are no limits on the amount of guns you can own/buy.

8. Could the government take away your weapon? The government can't take away your weapon, unless it's not licensed and properly registered.

9. Are you forced to own a weapon? No your are not forced to own a weapon, the amendment gives you the option to own one.

10. Could you use your weapon even if not threatened? Yes, you can but the government and the authorities have the right to take it from you, especially if unlicensed.

Christian- James Madison originally proposed the Second Amendment shortly after the Constitution was officially ratified as a way to provide more power to state militias, which today are considered the National Guard. It was made as a compromise for federalists, and was ratified in December 1791. Americans have been arguing on the interpretation of what this amendment means, one side believes that the amendment means to provide collective rights. The other side believes it means to provide individual rights. On the society of that time it was affected, because it allowed people to protect themselves. This helped many with self-defense of their time. This also, helped women protect themselves if they have known how to use one. Most women didn't because they didn't have the rights they do today. Overall, this mainly helped the militias, because without this amendment we couldn't even have a militia.

Eloic-The framers of the Constitution wanted people to have basic rights, like the right to bear arms. When the colonists started to revolt against the British, they weren't allowed to have these rights. Guns were so common at the time that every man was expected to know how to use one, even if they didn't own one. The amendment was also passed to give citizens an opportunity to fight back against a government that becomes too powerful, which was a concern for the framers of the Constitution. Before the amendment the federal government could take away your weapon if they wanted, they had the right to do that; after the amendment they couldn't do that. In addition, state militias ended a while after the amendment and the nation's military improved greatly. The citizens don't fear anymore of federal tyranny because of this amendment; without it, it would have still been a problem.

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Current Events

US Appeals Court Hears Maryland Gun Control Case

Eloic- On May 11, people questioned Maryland’s assault weapon ban, to figure out its constitutionality. One argument against the ban is that it violates the rights of the 2nd Amendment by banning some firearms that numerous people use. The response to the claim is that these weapons are used mostly for shootings, not self-defense. These two statements are why this topic is so controversial. Some people like John Parker Sweeney, an attorney on gun rights, have the idea that if a gun is at home, no matter the type, the government can’t take it from you. Sweeny also states that assault weapons are less dangerous than handguns because they are used in the most killings. The counter for this argument is that handguns still protect people in danger, even though they still mostly kill. Judge J. Harvie Wilkinson III states that lawmakers, not judges should decide the banning of guns and, he also says that, supporters should be heard on the topic. The article is finish by Wilkinson saying, “Nobody is powerless here.”

In this article, I agree with Wilkinson the most. First, he claims that Sweeny’s first statement is too broad, which is very true considering the type of firearms that could be in a home. He also stated about the banning of these firearms, to give more control to lawmakers and the people, so everyone can decide agreeably. His last quote is the truth because anyone can help make the decision together. The 2nd Amendment is still very controversial, and debated about all the time. Different candidates have opposing views about the situation, and it is also true for everybody else. The true meaning of the Amendment has also changed throughout the years. When it was first written, some people believe it only applies to militias, which have now died out, but there were many back in the time. Another meaning is a more general, the government can’t take your weapons, you have the right to own and keep them. []