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McDonald v. Chicago (2010): AP Gov Study Guide

The first page of the United States Constitution
The first page of the United States Constitution. National Archives · Public domain. Illustrative image.

AP Gov toolkit / Second Amendment and incorporation

Start with the story. Then try explaining the rule without looking. This guide includes six practice questions and a writing check, so you can see what you understand and what needs another look.

Jump to the practice test

Sources reviewed October 29, 2026 · Independent, AI-assisted student resource · Not an official College Board guide

Case notes and practice

Choose your answers, then select “Check my answers.” Blank questions count as not yet correct. The test runs only in this page; answers and scores are not sent or saved. Reset clears your choices. The writing checklist is here to help you practice. It is not an official AP scoring guide.

13 McDonald v. Chicago (2010)Second Amendment and incorporation · 6 questions + written practice

The case in plain English

What happened: Residents challenged local handgun restrictions after Heller had recognized an individual Second Amendment right against federal action.

The question: Did that right also apply to state and local governments?

The conclusion: The Fourteenth Amendment made the Second Amendment self-defense right applicable to the states.

Why: The controlling result treated the right as fundamental. The justices supporting incorporation did not all use the same Fourteenth Amendment route.

Watch the limit: Incorporating a right does not answer every later question about its scope or every possible regulation.

Read the court opinion and syllabus on Justia · Oyez case guide and available audio

Practice test: McDonald v. Chicago

Not checked yet. Make your choices, then check your reasoning.

1. What was the key step beyond the federal setting in Heller?

Facts

Check the answer and reasoning

A. Applying the right to state and local action

McDonald addresses which governments must respect the right. That is the incorporation question.

2. Which right was applied to states?

Holding

Check the answer and reasoning

B. The Second Amendment self-defense right

Identify the particular right and government level. Do not substitute a broad claim that every law involving guns was decided.

3. Which amendment connects the right to state action?

Reasoning

Check the answer and reasoning

C. Fourteenth Amendment

The Fourteenth Amendment is the incorporation link. The underlying substantive right comes from the Second Amendment.

4. A city argues a Bill of Rights protection can never limit local government. What concept should a comparison examine?

Apply it

Check the answer and reasoning

D. Selective incorporation

Incorporation explains how particular rights constrain state and local action. It does not mean every dispute has the same result.

5. Which statement overreads McDonald?

Limits

Check the answer and reasoning

A. It settled the validity of every gun regulation

The decision answers an incorporation question. Scope and regulation can require additional analysis.

6. What makes Gideon a useful partner case?

Compare

Check the answer and reasoning

B. Both apply a particular right against states

The rights differ—counsel and keeping arms for self-defense—but the incorporation connection is shared.

Written practice: explain more than the name

This is original practice, not a released AP question. Answer all three parts in a few clear sentences.

  1. Identify the right and government level.
  2. Explain the Fourteenth Amendment’s role.
  3. Compare with Gideon while keeping the two rights distinct.
Open the written-response self-check

Give yourself one point for each idea you explained correctly. Use the checklist to see what needs another look. It does not predict your exam score.

  1. Name the Second Amendment self-defense right and state/local restrictions.
  2. Explain incorporation without claiming every supporting justice used the same clause.
  3. Connect the shared incorporation idea to the different counsel right in Gideon.

A strong answer links a fact to the Constitution. If you only named an amendment, add a “because” to explain why it fits.

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Keep the cases connected

Compare the required cases · Review legal reasoning · Report a confusing question or correction

Original, unofficial practice prepared with AI assistance. AP is a trademark of College Board, which does not endorse this project. These questions do not predict an exam score. Educational information, not legal advice. Check the current College Board framework with your teacher.