The Second Amendment to the United States Constitution, ratified in 1791, 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." This amendment is part of the Bill of Rights and is often cited in discussions about gun ownership and regulation. The Second Amendment has been the subject of much debate regarding the balance between individual rights and public safety. Various court cases, including District of Columbia v. Heller in 2008, have interpreted its meaning, affirming the right to possess firearms for self-defense while also allowing for certain regulations.