Which of the following amendments guarantees the right to bear arms?

The Second Amendment to the United States Constitution is the guarantee that protects the right to bear arms. Ratified in 1791 as part of the Bill of Rights, it 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 amendment has been the cornerstone of legal discussions about gun ownership and possession in America.

The context of this amendment arises from the historical backdrop of the American Revolution when the Founding Fathers believed that an armed populace was essential to prevent tyranny and protect individual freedoms. The wording emphasizes both the collective aspect of maintaining a militia for state security and the individual right to own weapons.

Understanding the Second Amendment is critical to comprehending the ongoing debates surrounding gun control legislation, self-defense, and individual rights in the United States today. The other amendments mentioned serve different purposes: the First Amendment protects freedoms concerning religion, expression, assembly, and the right to petition; the Third Amendment addresses the quartering of soldiers; and the Fourth Amendment protects against unreasonable searches and seizures. Each of these plays a vital role in civil liberties but does not pertain to the right to bear arms.