gun rights

plural noun

US 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.
Gonzales trailed in his rematch with gun rights activist Brandon Herrera. David Weigel, semafor.com, 4 Mar. 2026 The Supreme Court hears arguments Monday in an important gun case that has united an array of strange bedfellows, from conservative gun rights groups to liberal civil liberties groups. Nina Totenberg, NPR, 2 Mar. 2026 Harris maintained that, like habitual drunkards, unlawful drug users may have their gun rights temporarily taken away. Jack Birle, The Washington Examiner, 2 Mar. 2026 The case brought together civil libertarians and gun rights advocates, who said millions of Americans could face criminal charges if the government’s view is upheld. Los Angeles Times, 2 Mar. 2026 The administration has argued in favor of gun rights in other cases, but government lawyers say this law is a justifiable restriction. Arkansas Online, 1 Mar. 2026 Members of your administration have been questioning gun rights when the gun owners are not your political allies. David Hadley, Oc Register, 1 Mar. 2026 In the other gun rights case the Supreme Court is considering this term, the Justice Department opposes Hawaii’s restrictive rules for guns in public places. Maureen Groppe, USA Today, 1 Mar. 2026 Gonzales is facing a primary challenge from Brandon Herrera, a gun manufacturer and gun rights influencer who Gonzales defeated by fewer than 400 votes in their 2024 runoff. ABC News, 27 Feb. 2026

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 9 Mar. 2026.

Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
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