What Are the Origins and Interpretations of the Right to Keep and Bear Arms?

The Founders wanted to be sure they preserved the right to keep and bear arms as they established their new sovereign government. Americans asserted a natural right to defend themselves and their property against all threats, including tyranny of any kind, foreign or domestic. The Second Amendment in the Bill of Rights was included to reflect the concerns of many citizens in a number of states. This lesson explores the origins of this amendment.

Objectives

• Students will understand the historical roots of the right to keep and bear arms.
• Students will analyze Second Amendment controversies.
• Students will analyze how colonists and the British regarded control of weapons.
• Students will compare gun issues in 1775 to a modern gun controversy.
• Students will evaluate arguments about how best to protect personal security.

Student Handouts

• Handout A: Background Essay – What Are the Origins of the Right to Keep and Bear Arms?
• Handout B: The Second Amendment
• Handout C: Tickets
• Handout D: Group Discussion Guide
• Handout E: Town Council Discussion Guide

Teacher Resources

• What Are the Origins and Interpretations of the Right to Keep and Bear Arms? Answer Key