The Second Amendment: The Right to Bear Arms

Well-balanced and informative, this thoughtful work explains that there are varying interpretations of the second amendment, and outlines the historical conditions that led up to it. Chapters range from “Guns in Early America” to “The Second Amendment in Contemporary America,” which discusses some of the changes in society over the last hundred years that have made the amendment more controversial. Sidebars add information on, for example, the NRA and local bans on guns. Numerous reproductions portray bandits, politicians, and broadsheets, and illustrate historical scenes; photographs show Martin Luther King, Jr.’s funeral procession, among other images. Though this book discusses a serious issue, it is accessible and it will be very useful for reports and debates—especially given the extensive further-reading list and bibliography of print and online resources. Back matter also includes contact information for groups such as the National Firearms Association and the Coalition for Gun Control, and paraphrasing of the 26 constitutional amendments and 6 that were proposed but unratified.