gun rights

plural noun

U.S. politics
: legal rights that allow civilians to own, use, and sell guns
supporters of gun rights
often used before another noun
gun rights advocates/groups

Note: The term gun rights often suggests support for an interpretation of the Second Amendment to the U.S. Constitution that favors broad rights to gun ownership.

Examples of gun rights in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
In general, people convicted of crimes can face restrictions on government benefits, voting rights, gun rights or professional licensing. Eric Levenson, CNN Money, 24 July 2025 Evers used his broad veto powers to stop Republicans from enacting a wide range of conservative priorities, including making voting requirements more strict, expanding gun rights, growing the private school voucher program and making abortions more difficult to obtain. Scott Bauer, Chicago Tribune, 24 July 2025 During his 2024 campaign, President Donald Trump pledged fidelity to gun rights groups and the Second Amendment. Maureen Groppe, USA Today, 19 July 2025 Several people have already had their gun rights restored under Trump's second term, including actor Mel Gibson, who was barred due to his misdemeanor domestic violence conviction in 2011. Mandy Taheri hannah Parry, MSNBC Newsweek, 18 July 2025 Dean Rieck, executive director of the Buckeye Firearms Association, a state gun rights group, said cities need to focus on crime, not guns. Cameron Knight, Cincinnati Enquirer, 13 June 2025 In a separate statement, Justice Brett Kavanaugh told gun rights advocates to come back in a year or two. Zach Schonfeld, The Hill, 4 June 2025 Several gun rights groups filed a lawsuit to dismantle what is left of the National Firearms Act (NFA) shortly after U.S. President Donald Trump signed his package of tax breaks and spending cuts into law on Friday. Khaleda Rahman, MSNBC Newsweek, 5 July 2025 And these people are fighting for gun rights to protect themselves. Hannah Dailey, Billboard, 3 July 2025

Word History

First Known Use

1964, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler
The first known use of gun rights was in 1964

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Cite this Entry

“Gun rights.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/gun%20rights. Accessed 6 Aug. 2025.

Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
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