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 noungun 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
In conversations with state lawmakers who have been outspoken on gun rights, and with two Idaho attorneys who focus on constitutional rights, the Idaho Statesman heard a range of reactions to Pretti’s shooting.
—
Sarah Cutler, Idaho Statesman, 27 Jan. 2026
Locally, the reaction from gun rights groups was critical — but more muted.
—Kacen Bayless, Kansas City Star, 27 Jan. 2026
Trump’s decision to give Homan control in Minnesota comes as Homeland Security Secretary Kristi Noem and other administration officials face mounting criticism, including from gun rights groups and some conservatives, over their leadership and rhetoric in Minneapolis.
—Kevin Breuninger, CNBC, 26 Jan. 2026
Legislative Republicans have largely opposed efforts to curb gun rights at the state Capitol.
—Alex Derosier, Twin Cities, 26 Jan. 2026
Minnesota has long allowed pretty wide gun rights.
—Philip Elliott, Time, 26 Jan. 2026
The killing spurred notable tension with the GOP’s long-standing support for gun rights.
—Steven Sloan, Chicago Tribune, 25 Jan. 2026
The case marks one of the first Second Amendment battles in which the justices are set to apply their new gun rights test.
—Zach Schonfeld, The Hill, 20 Jan. 2026
Justice Ketanji Brown Jackson, one of the court’s three liberals, tried to emphasize the latter, asking whether Hawaii’s law was more about property rights than gun rights.
—Maureen Groppe, USA Today, 20 Jan. 2026
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Sarah Cutler, Idaho Statesman, 27 Jan. 2026
Locally, the reaction from gun rights groups was critical — but more muted.
—Kacen Bayless, Kansas City Star, 27 Jan. 2026
Trump’s decision to give Homan control in Minnesota comes as Homeland Security Secretary Kristi Noem and other administration officials face mounting criticism, including from gun rights groups and some conservatives, over their leadership and rhetoric in Minneapolis.
—Kevin Breuninger, CNBC, 26 Jan. 2026
Legislative Republicans have largely opposed efforts to curb gun rights at the state Capitol.
—Alex Derosier, Twin Cities, 26 Jan. 2026
Minnesota has long allowed pretty wide gun rights.
—Philip Elliott, Time, 26 Jan. 2026
The killing spurred notable tension with the GOP’s long-standing support for gun rights.
—Steven Sloan, Chicago Tribune, 25 Jan. 2026
The case marks one of the first Second Amendment battles in which the justices are set to apply their new gun rights test.
—Zach Schonfeld, The Hill, 20 Jan. 2026
Justice Ketanji Brown Jackson, one of the court’s three liberals, tried to emphasize the latter, asking whether Hawaii’s law was more about property rights than gun rights.
—Maureen Groppe, USA Today, 20 Jan. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Gun rights.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/gun%20rights. Accessed 31 Jan. 2026.
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