Wolford v. Lopez · ¶19

When his case reached this Court, we provided our first thorough exploration of the Second Amendment’s meaning. We rejected the argument that the Second Amendment right extends only to members of a state militia and held instead that the Second Amendment, like other provisions of the Bill of Rights, protects an individual right enjoyed by “‘the people.’” Id., at 579–581. Our opinion went on to explain the meaning of the Second Amendment’s other key terms. The phrase “to keep and bear Arms,” we held, signifies what its terms mean in ordinary usage—that is, to “have” and “carry Arms.” Id., at 583–585. And “Arms,” we explained, refers to implements used for offense or defense. Id., at 581. We added that handguns, which are “overwhelmingly chosen by American society” for self-defense, fall squarely into this category. Id., at 628.

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