JP Kirkpatrick Genealogy - The 2nd Amendment

The Second Amendment (Amendment II) to the United States Constitution is the part of the United States Bill of Rights that protects the right of the people to keep and bear arms. It was adopted on December 15, 1791, along with the rest of the Bill of Rights.

In 2008 and 2010, the Supreme Court issued two Second Amendment decisions. In District of Columbia v. Heller (2008), the Court ruled that the Second Amendment protects an individual's right to possess a firearm, unconnected to service in a militia and to use that arm for traditionally lawful purposes, such as self-defense within the home. Additionally, the Court enumerated several longstanding prohibitions and restrictions on firearms possession that it found were consistent with the Second Amendment. In McDonald v. Chicago (2010), the Court ruled that the Second Amendment limits state and local governments to the same extent that it limits the federal government.

On the site http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Second_Amendment_to_the_United_States_Constitution there is a very good discussion and examination of The Second Amendment. The National Rifle Association, Gun Owners of America and the Second Amendment Foundation have argued that this Amendment to the Constitution is arguably, the most important, as it guarantees the Right of Assembly, the Freedom of Speech, the ability To Pursue Happiness and is:

THE ONLY RIGHT OR AMENDMENT THAT HAS THE STATEMENT "...shall not be infringed."