What does the Second Amendment protect?

The Second Amendment to the United States Constitution specifically protects the right to bear arms. This amendment was ratified in 1791 and 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 provision emphasizes the importance of individual rights to own and carry weapons, a topic that has been widely discussed and debated in American society.

The focus of the Second Amendment is rooted in the historical context of the time, where ordinary citizens were expected to be able to defend themselves and contribute to the militia for the security of the state. This has led to ongoing discussions about gun rights, self-defense, and the regulation of firearms in contemporary debates.

Other options refer to rights protected by different amendments in the Bill of Rights but do not relate to the Second Amendment. For instance, the right to free speech is protected by the First Amendment, while the right to a fair trial falls under the Sixth Amendment. The right to privacy is inferred from various amendments but is not directly addressed in the Constitution, making the Second Amendment's focus on the right to bear arms distinct and specific.