Few issues ignite such impassioned debate as the Second Amendment to the U.S. Constitution. Does it really give citizens the right to possess firearms, or is that right restricted to a "well-regulated militia" such as the National Guard? Halbrook traces the origins of the Second Amendment back to ancient Greece and Rome, and then through the "freemen" movement in 18th century England and France. He demonstrates that the framers of the U.S. Constitution were conscious of such history when they drafted the Second Amendment, and that the Second Amendment was clearly intended to allow possession of firearms not just for the defense of personal life and property, but also to prevent government infringement of human liberties. Halbrook has successfully argued against gun restrictions in cases before the U.

S. Supreme Court, such as portions of the "Brady Bill" that required local police to enforce certain federal gun laws. He brings the same meticulous, thorough scholarship to this book. He demonstrates that the right to bear arms is as fundamental a right under the U.S. Constitution as freedom of speech and freedom of religion.