The Second Amendment is more accurately the second right in the Bill of Rights, which fundamentally predates the Constitution due to the fact that it was based on the Magna Carta. Government did not "give" us those rights, otherwise it would be the "Bill of Privileges." Government cannot take away what it cannot give. Our rights are something we are born with, and the right to bear arms (self defense) -- including and especially against a tyrannical government -- is not something that can be legislated for or against (i.e., "amended"). It is one of our natural human rights. The biggest difference between the United States and other countries is this: Americans understand that being well armed is critically necessary to maintaining liberty, for which we will put on lives, fortunes and sacred honor on the line to protect.