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

The Justice Department finalized a rule Monday that will pave the way for people who have been barred from owning firearms because of criminal convictions to apply to have their gun rights reinstated. — Alanna Durkin Richer, Los Angeles Times, 18 Aug. 2026

Some states and gun rights groups, like Gun Owners of America, shortly thereafter sued the federal government. — Jaclyn Diaz, NPR, 17 Aug. 2026

The Justice Department finalized a rule Monday that will pave the way for people who've been barred from owning firearms because of criminal convictions to apply to have their gun rights reinstated. — ABC News, 17 Aug. 2026

The ruling marks a significant victory for gun rights advocates and adds to growing legal uncertainty surrounding state assault weapons bans after the high court’s 2022 decision. — Claire Carter, The Washington Examiner, 17 July 2026

Word History

First Known Use

1964, in the meaning defined above

Rhymes for gun rights

• alights
• ascites
• barytes
• campsites
• chondrites
• daylights
• delights
• excites
• flashlights
• floodlights
• footlights
• graphites