Bill of Rights Team Project

By:Amber Cephas

Kaitlyn BeelendorfTaylor Bivans

Ashaley Dornemann

What does the 2nd Amendment say?

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.

2nd Amendment Court Case

The United States vs. Cruikshank-2nd Amendment Court Case. The 1876 court Case was the first case in which the Supreme Court had the opportunity to interpret the Second Amendment. The court realized that the person had the right to bear arms. This right was an existed right to the Constitution when it was started, but not a right granted by the Constitution. The Cruikshank indictment was charged inter Clia.

The court held that because the right to keep and bear arms exsisted independently of the Constitution, the Second Amendment garenteed only that right. The Cruikshank indictment was a conspiracy by klansmen to prevent blacks from exercising their Civil Rights to bear arms. The Federal Government had no power to punish a violation of the rights by an individual. Citizens had to look for their protection against violation by fellow citizens for their right to keep and bear arms.