Top 5 Reasons the Founders Included the Second Amendment
There are reasons why this right was among only ten amendments to the Constitution that made up the Bill of Rights.
“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.”
— Second Amendment to the United States Constitution
Defense Against Tyranny
“The Constitution shall never be construed to prevent the people of the United States who are peaceable citizens from keeping their own arms.” — Samuel Adams
The Founders had just fought a war against what they viewed as tyrannical rule by Britain. They understood that governments could become corrupt and oppressive, even ones initially founded with good intentions. To prevent this, they believed the people needed the ability to resist — not just through speech and voting, but by force if absolutely necessary.
Safeguarding Individual Liberty
“No free man shall ever be debarred the use of arms.” — Thomas Jefferson
The right to bear arms wasn’t merely about politics; it was seen as a natural extension of personal liberty. Just as people had the right to speak freely and worship freely, they had the right to defend themselves and their property. It was part of the broader Enlightenment idea that rights came from God, not from the government.
Militia as a Check on Standing Armies
“A standing army is one of the greatest mischiefs that can possibly happen.” — James Madison
The Founders were deeply suspicious of standing armies because history showed that rulers often used permanent armies to suppress the people. Militias — composed of ordinary citizens — were seen as a better, safer alternative. An armed people could defend the country without giving unchecked military power to the central government.
Self-Defense
“To disarm the people…is the most effectual way to enslave them.” — George Mason
Beyond political revolution and national defense, the right to bear arms was also about personal survival. The Founders recognized that each individual had a right to defend themselves against violence — whether from criminals, hostile forces, or even mobs.
Preservation of the Republic
“The supreme power in America cannot enforce unjust laws by the sword; because the whole body of the people are armed.” — Noah Webster
The Founders knew that the long-term survival of a free republic depended on an engaged, responsible, and empowered citizenry. By ensuring that the people were armed, they created a practical deterrent against both foreign invasion and domestic tyranny, while also instilling a spirit of independence and civic responsibility.