34. The Founders Intended the Second Amendment for Personal Gun Ownership
The Second Amendment is often cited as proof the Founders wanted every American to own firearms for personal use. However, the original context emphasized the necessity of a “well-regulated militia” for national defense. In the late 18th century, militias were made up of ordinary citizens who could be called upon to protect the state. Over time, the interpretation of the amendment has shifted, with modern debates focusing more on individual gun rights than the collective security concerns at the heart of its creation.
