bear arms

Example Sentences

Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.

In a 1991 interview, retired Chief Justice Warren Burger scorned the view that the Second Amendment’s right to keep and bear arms belongs to individuals rather than a collective militia.

From The Wall Street Journal • Mar. 31, 2026

The Second Amendment to the US Constitution stipulates that "the right of the people to keep and bear arms shall not be infringed."

From Barron's • Jan. 25, 2026

Like the 2nd Amendment, Mexico’s Constitution guarantees the right to bear arms.

From Los Angeles Times • Jun. 8, 2025

The courts that rejected this reality relied on the fact that in 1791, states often compelled 18- to 20-year-olds to join “the militia,” which required them to bear arms.

From Slate • Mar. 17, 2025

“God! he’s beautiful. I hope they take good care of him. Corporal, you may think that he wants to bear arms against the foe, but I think he’s running away from love.”

From "East of Eden" by John Steinbeck