Short History of the Second Amendment

Short History of the Second Amendment

Amendments passed by the House of Representatives (August 24, 1789)

ARTICLE THE FIFTH

A well regulated militia, composed of the body of the People, being the best security of a free State, the right of the People to keep and bear arms, shall not be infringed, but no one religiously scrupulous of bearing arms shall be compelled to render military service in person.

Amendments passed by the Senate (September 9, 1789)

ARTICLE THE FOURTH

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.

Amendments Proposed by Congress to the States (September 25, 1789)

Article the fourth

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.

*** The states did not ratify the first two articles (amendments).

2 Likes

Madison had more than 200 suggested amendments offered by states at the start of the first Congress. When the duplicates were deleted, there were 75 to be considered.

1 Like

I like the original draft. I wonder why they shortened it? Were they worried about religious exemptions to military service?