What does the Second Amendment protect?

The Second Amendment to the United States Constitution explicitly protects the right to bear arms. This amendment states, "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 phrase has been the basis for various court rulings and legal interpretations concerning individual gun ownership and the regulation of firearms. The focus on the right to bear arms reflects a longstanding belief in the importance of self-defense and the ability of citizens to protect themselves.

The other choices reflect important amendments and rights protected under different parts of the Constitution, but they are not covered under the Second Amendment. Freedom of speech is protected by the First Amendment, the right to assemble peacefully also falls under the First Amendment, and rights to due process are safeguarded by the Fifth and Fourteenth Amendments. Therefore, the Second Amendment's specific language and historical context underscore its focus on the individual's right to possess and carry weapons.