The Second Amendment and gun control: freedom, fear, and the American constitution

The Second Amendment, by far the most controversial amendment to the US Constitution, will soon celebrate its 225th anniversary.

Yet, despite the amount of ink spilled over this controversy, the debate continues on into the 21st century.

Initially written with a view towards protecting the nascent nation from more powerful enemies and preventing the tyranny experienced during the final years of British rule, the Second Amendment has since become central to discussions about the balance between security and freedom.

It features in election contests and informs cultural discussions about race and gender.

This book seeks to broaden the discussion. It situates discussion about gun controls within contemporary debates about citizenship, culture, philosophy and foreign policy as well as in the more familiar terrain of politics and history.