TO KEEP AND BEAR THEIR PRIVATE ARMS: THE ADOPTION OF THE SECOND AMENDMENT, 1787-1791 by Stephen P. Halbrook[*] After the Constitution was submitted for ratification in 1787, political writings and debates in state conventions revealed two basic positions: the federalist view that a bill of rights was unnecessary because the proposed government had no positive grant … Continue reading TO KEEP AND BEAR THEIR PRIVATE ARMS – Stephen Halbrook