Final answer:
The Second Amendment is the reason why no state can make guns entirely illegal, protecting an individual's right to keep and bear arms, as interpreted by significant Supreme Court decisions like District of Columbia v. Heller and McDonald v. Chicago.
Step-by-step explanation:
Understanding the Second Amendment
Although minors and felons are restricted from having guns, no state can make a law declaring that guns are entirely illegal due to the protections given by the Second Amendment. The text of the Amendment 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 has led to a longstanding debate over whether the Amendment protects an individual's right to own guns or whether it is tied to the collective need for a well-regulated militia.
Supreme Court Interpretations of the Second Amendment
Over time, the Supreme Court has made significant rulings that have shaped our understanding of the Second Amendment. The decisions in District of Columbia v. Heller (2008) and McDonald v. Chicago (2010) recognized an individual's right to keep and bear arms, particularly for self-defense in one's home, and ruled that this right is incorporated against the states. However, the Court has also upheld various gun control measures, indicating that the right to bear arms is not absolute.
While modern-day interpretations of the Second Amendment continue to evolve, what remains consistent is the contention over its scope and application in light of technological and political changes since the time of the Founding Fathers.