在2008年及2010年,美國聯邦最高法院分別做出了兩個與本修正案有關的指標性判決。在哥倫比亞特區訴黑勒案(英语:District of Columbia v. Heller)(District of Columbia v. Heller, 554 U.S. 570 (2008))中,聯邦最高法院判決認為,第二修正案保障個人擁有槍枝的權利,不論該人是否屬於民兵皆然。[7][8]並且可以基於合法的目的使用該等武器,諸如在屋內自我防衛。在麥克唐納訴芝加哥案(McDonald v. Chicago, 561 U.S. 3025 (2010))中,法院判決第二修正案不僅拘束聯邦政府,對於州政府和地方政府同樣具有拘束力[9]。
^"The court held that the second amendment recognized an individual right to possess and carry a firearm unconnected with militia service." Pollock, Earl. The Supreme Court and American Democracy: Case Studies on Judicial Review and Public Policy. Greenwood. 2008: 423. ISBN 978-0-313-36525-6.
^"held that the second amendment protects an individual's right to bear arms," Scaros, Constantinos E. Understanding the Constitution. Jones & Bartlett Publishers. 2010: 484. ISBN 978-0-7637-5811-0.
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