The term infringe in the Second Amendment refers to the act of violating or encroaching upon a right. In the context of the Second Amendment, which 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,” it means that the government cannot violate or restrict the right of the people to keep and bear arms.
This interpretation has been the subject of much debate and legal scrutiny. Some argue that the Second Amendment guarantees an individual’s right to own firearms, while others believe it only protects the collective right of states to maintain militias. The Supreme Court has ruled in cases like District of Columbia v. Heller (2008) that the Second Amendment protects an individual’s right to possess a firearm for traditionally lawful purposes, such as self-defense within the home.
Understanding what infringe means in this context is crucial for interpreting the scope and limitations of the Second Amendment. It underscores the balance between individual rights and government regulation.