There are several versions of the text of the Second Amendment, each with capitalization or punctuation differences. Differences exist between the drafted and ratified copies, the signed copies on display, and various published transcriptions.
[17][18][19][20][21][22][23][24] The importance (or lack thereof) of these differences has been the source of debate regarding the meaning and interpretation of the amendment, particularly regarding the importance of the prefatory clause.
One version was passed by the
Congress, and a slightly different version was ratified.
[25][26][27][28][29] As passed by the Congress and preserved in the
National Archives, with the rest of the original hand-written copy of the Bill of Rights prepared by
scribe William Lambert, the amendment says:
[30]
A well regulated Militia, being necessary to the security of a free State, the right of the people to keep and bear Arms, shall not be infringed.

The hand-written copy of the proposed Bill of Rights, 1789, cropped to just show the text that would later be edited and ratified as the Second Amendment
Here is the amendment as ratified by the States and authenticated by
Thomas Jefferson, then-Secretary of State:
[31]
A well regulated militia being necessary to the security of a free state, the right of the people to keep and bear arms shall not be infringed.