Original historical documents essential to understanding the Second Amendment. Each document includes accurate transcriptions, historical context, and citations. These primary sources form the foundation of constitutional interpretation and Supreme Court decisions.
Ratified December 15, 1791
"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 canonical text of the Second Amendment as ratified in the Bill of Rights.
Ratified December 15, 1791
The first ten amendments to the Constitution, including the Second Amendment in context with other fundamental rights.
December 16, 1689
Includes provision that "subjects which are Protestants may have arms for their defence suitable to their conditions and as allowed by law."
January 9, 1788
Hamilton's discussion of militia regulation and the relationship between federal and state authority over militia.
"Little more can reasonably be aimed at, with respect to the people at large, than to have them properly armed and equipped..."Read full text →
January 29, 1788
Madison's calculation of armed citizens versus standing army, arguing that an armed populace prevents tyranny.
"...a militia amounting to near half a million of citizens with arms in their hands, officered by men chosen from among themselves..."Read full text →
January 1788
Concerns about federal power over militia and the need to protect the right to bear arms from federal infringement.
June 27, 1788
Virginia's ratification convention proposed: "That the people have a right to keep and bear arms; that a well regulated Militia composed of the body of the people trained to arms is the proper, natural and safe defence of a free State."
July 26, 1788
New York proposed that militia "at all times... have a right to keep and bear arms." Influenced Madison's draft of the Second Amendment.
December 18, 1787
Dissenting delegates proposed: "That the people have a right to bear arms for the defence of themselves and their own State or the United States."
May 8, 1792
Required every free able-bodied white male citizen aged 18-45 to enroll in militia and "provide himself with a good musket or firelock" and ammunition.
July 17, 1862
Civil War-era revision allowing African Americans to serve in militia and military. Expanded federal authority over state militias.
January 21, 1903
Created the modern National Guard system, dividing militia into organized (National Guard) and unorganized (all other able-bodied men).
Comprehensive collection of state constitutional provisions protecting the right to bear arms from 1776 to present.
"The people have a right to keep and bear arms for the common defence."
July 16, 1866
Protected "full and equal benefit of all laws and proceedings concerning personal liberty, personal security... including the constitutional right to bear arms."
April 9, 1866
First federal law to define citizenship and affirm all citizens' rights to full and equal benefit of all laws for security of person and property.
Ratified July 9, 1868
Privileges or Immunities, Due Process, and Equal Protection clauses that later incorporated Bill of Rights against states.
View amendment →Described right to arms as fifth auxiliary right protecting primary rights of personal security, liberty, and property.
First American law commentary, called Second Amendment "the true palladium of liberty" and emphasized individual right.
Early treatise stating Second Amendment prevents Congress from disarming citizens and protects individual right.
Supreme Court Justice's influential commentary on the Constitution and the right of citizens to keep and bear arms.
All transcriptions follow original spelling and punctuation. Modernized versions are clearly marked. Editorial additions appear in [brackets].
Documents are transcribed from authoritative sources including:
Primary sources must be understood in historical context. Language, concepts, and legal frameworks have evolved. Consult multiple sources and scholarly commentary for complete understanding.