An Overview of the First Half of the Bill of Rights

The Bill of Rights are the first ten amendments to2. Right to Bear Arms.
our U.S. Constitution and should be regarded by allThe Second Amendment extends to all adult
Americans as a sacred covenant made by ourmembers of society to have the right to own and
founding fathers to serve and protect the Americanoperate a weapon under the legal requirements of
people. The Bill of Rights is just that: inalienable rights,the law. This doctrine ensures our protection against
not a set of half-hearted promises or empty wordstyranny and grants each individual the right to protect
to be trodden down by a supreme court justice. Nolife and property. Recent legislation has, however,
mincing of words, but rather the Bill of Rights is achallenged this constitutional right by limiting the gun
clear and concise rule of constitutional law toregistration laws in certain states.
guarantee our citizenry against the threat of tyranny3. Protect From Quartering Troops.
and oppression that the early colonists fled from theirThe Third Amendment was enacted to protect the
native England.citizens from undue financial and emotional burdens of
1. Freedom of Speech, Freedom to Assembly,housing soldiers in their home. Harboring a soldier may
Freedom of Religion and Freedom to Petition.be carried out, but only with the consent of the
Under our constitutional law, every American shouldhome owner.
have the right to state his or her case, whether it be4. Protection of Unreasonable Search and Seizure.
popular opinion or not. This right extends to all ofThe Fourth Amendment declares the privacy of a
those who agree to disagree. We must guaranteeperson's home, papers or possessions in the event of
the media unrestricted reporting without the threatan unlawful search and seizure. No seizure may be
of censorship. In addition, Article 1 asserts the rightmade without proof of probable cause and a warrant
of every American to make known his grievancesfrom a court will be necessary to verify under oath
and petition his case before a court. Furthermore, wethat the search and seizure is valid.
are granted the self-expression to serve out God in5. Due Process, Double Jeopardy, Self-incrimination
any manner we see fit or have the rights andand Eminent Domain.
freedom to abstain from worshipping at all.