Does the 2nd amendment really apply anymore?

Basically I wanna hear people from the US tell me why they feel the 2nd amendment is important considering no matter how well armed they are, their government is much better armed and could stop any force put against them.

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Pherick · 41-45, M

From the extra writing from Founding Fathers around the time of the 2nd Amendment, it seems like their idea was for the states to maintain a strong militia in order to be able to defend themselves against a government that had gone too far.

I have never seen any writings that imply they thought every individual should be able to arm themselves however they saw fit.

"A well-regulated Militia" are the first 4 words for a reason.

In current times, individuals armed with civilian weapons would stand no chance against a true military force.

windinhishair · 61-69, M

@Pherick Bingo. The 2nd Amendment applied to the right for the states to maintain strong militias. In fact, the extrapolation of the right to bear arms to individuals didn't occur until the DC v. Heller Supreme Court case in 2008, and that was a split decision by a 5-4 vote. It could have easily gone the other way. Even under Heller, there is no absolute right to own any firearm on the market. Free speech is protected, but you can't yell "Fire" in a crowded theater. Banning assault weapons, for example, would not be prohibited under the 2nd Amendment, should it be done to prevent recurring mass murders.

To get back to the original poster, yes, the 2nd Amendment is still applicable, and the Supreme Court has affirmed its applicability to private citizens, but the right to own a firearm is not absolute.