What does the Second Amendment protect?

The Second Amendment protects the right to bear arms, which refers specifically to the individual's right to possess and carry weapons. This amendment is rooted in the notion of self-defense and the historical context of ensuring that citizens could maintain the ability to defend themselves and their property. The text of the amendment emphasizes the importance of a well-regulated militia, and this has led to ongoing debates regarding the balance between individual rights and public safety.

The other options address different rights protected by other amendments within the Bill of Rights. For instance, the right to free speech is protected by the First Amendment, the right to protest is also encompassed within the First Amendment's protections of speech and assembly, and the right to privacy is inferred from several amendments but is not explicitly listed in the Bill of Rights. Thus, the Second Amendment's clear focus on the right to bear arms distinguishes it from the other rights reflected in the choices.