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Essay On The Second Amendment

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The Second Amendment of the United States Constitution reads: "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 amendment has been understood amongst the American people, as simply “the right to bear arms”. The creation of the United States constitution was left in the hands of young men whom had served in the Continental Army prior to the draft of the historical document. Having witnessed the violence of the Revolution, these Federalists had the fear of suffering from a weak centralized government. “Anti-federalists”, members that opposed the Constitution, feared that this new government could build one centralized professional army, disarming the 13 state militias.
During this time of United States history, militias were formed from citizen-soldiers. “These militias were the product of a world of civic duty and governmental compulsion utterly alien to us today…was actually required to own—and bring—a musket or other military weapon” (POLITICO.com) As initially pushed my James Madison, the constitution included 17 amendments, the second …show more content…

Hobbes describes the natural condition of mankind, prior to communities/society and the creation/enforcement of law. War and violence would be continuous, meaning that death is inevitable as a result. It is every man against each other. During the initial development of the second amendment, the colonies feared a dominant centralized government; there was mistrust within colonies themselves. Violence was high as it was the most commonly used method to resolve conflicts against higher authority. According to Hobbes, fear will make man want to escape the nature of state. There is a struggle of fear and power. Similarly, because of fear of a strong, dominating central authority, gun holders will want to have the power for this method of

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