The Second Amendment: Why the need for an armed citizenry?

Join Meg Mott, professor of Politics at Marlboro College, to discuss the 1st, 2nd, 19th and 20th amendments to the US Constitution. These talks will happen outdoors in salon-style seating.

In the 21st century, the Second Amendment took on a new life. In two recent Supreme Court rulings, the right to bear arms was transformed from a collective right of state militias to a personal right of self-defense. We will consider why the Framers wanted an armed citizenry, how the Second Amendment lost ground during the tragic failure of Reconstruction, and what the emphasis on individual self-defense tells us about the health of our democracy. In case of heavy rain, this outdoor event will take place on Thursday, August 13 at 7:00 pm.