In the english bill of rights only protestants could bear arms for defense , this is different than the United States Bill of Rights were pretty much anyone can bear arms? Is this right?
Since the protestants were a religion. Not all the people.
Yes, you're right.
Yes, you are correct in noting that there is a difference between the English Bill of Rights and the United States Bill of Rights when it comes to the right to bear arms. In the English Bill of Rights, which was enacted in 1689, only Protestants were granted the right to bear arms for self-defense. This limitation was rooted in the historical context of religious tensions in England at the time.
On the other hand, the United States Bill of Rights, which became part of the U.S. Constitution in 1791, specifically guarantees the right to bear arms for all citizens, without any religious requirements. The framers of the U.S. Constitution sought to protect the individual rights and liberties of all citizens, regardless of their religious beliefs.
To understand the differences between these two documents, it is important to study their historical and cultural contexts. The English Bill of Rights was shaped by the religious conflicts that had taken place in England, particularly the struggle between Protestants and Catholics. In granting the right to bear arms solely to Protestants, the English Bill of Rights sought to ensure the self-defense of a specific religious group.
In contrast, the United States Bill of Rights was a reaction to the colonial experiences under British rule and aimed to protect the rights and freedoms of all individuals, free from religious discrimination. The Second Amendment of the United States Constitution 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 provision establishes the right to bear arms as a fundamental individual right for all U.S. citizens.
By understanding the historical background and the specific contexts in which these two bills of rights were developed, we can better grasp the reasons behind their differing approaches to the right to bear arms.