What is the First and Second Amendment?

Asked by: Dr. Jeramy Buckridge  |  Last update: February 19, 2022
Score: 5/5 (44 votes)

The First Amendment provides that Congress make no law respecting an establishment of religion or prohibiting its free exercise. It protects freedom of speech, the press, assembly, and the right to petition the Government for a redress of grievances. The Second Amendment gives citizens the right to bear arms.

What are the first 10 amendments?

The Bill of Rights is the first 10 Amendments to the Constitution. It spells out Americans' rights in relation to their government. It guarantees civil rights and liberties to the individual—like freedom of speech, press, and religion.

What does the First Amendment say?

Congress shall make no law respecting an establishment of religion, or prohibiting the free exercise thereof; or abridging the freedom of speech, or of the press; or the right of the people peaceably to assemble, and to petition the Government for a redress of grievances.

What was the 2nd Amendment meant for?

“The Second Amendment protects an individual right to possess a firearm unconnected with service in a militia, and to use that arm for traditionally lawful purposes, such as self-defense within the home.”

How is the 2nd amendment used today?

The Second Amendment protects an individual right to possess a firearm unconnected with service in a militia, and to use that arm for traditionally lawful purposes, such as self-defense within the home.

The Second Amendment: Firearms in the U.S. | History

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What does the 3rd amendment do?

No Soldier shall, in time of peace be quartered in any house, without the consent of the Owner, nor in time of war, but in a manner to be prescribed by law.

How many amendments are there?

Since 1789 the Constitution has been amended 27 times; of those amendments, the first 10 are collectively known as the Bill of Rights and were certified on December 15, 1791. Bill of Rights of the United States Constitution.

Is the right to bear arms?

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.

Why the 1st amendment is important?

If you're in the U.S., you have freedom of speech, religion, press, assembly and petition. ... The First Amendment protects us against government limits on our freedom of expression, but it doesn't prevent a private employer from setting its own rules.

What does the 1st amendment mean in simple terms?

The First Amendment guarantees freedoms concerning religion, expression, assembly, and the right to petition. ... It guarantees freedom of expression by prohibiting Congress from restricting the press or the rights of individuals to speak freely.

What did 21st amendment do?

Twenty-first Amendment, amendment (1933) to the Constitution of the United States that officially repealed federal prohibition, which had been enacted through the Eighteenth Amendment, adopted in 1919. ... Ratification of the amendment was completed on Dec. 5, 1933.

How does Amendment 5 protect us?

The Fifth Amendment creates a number of rights relevant to both criminal and civil legal proceedings. In criminal cases, the Fifth Amendment guarantees the right to a grand jury, forbids “double jeopardy,” and protects against self-incrimination.

Is freedom of speech the First Amendment?

Among other cherished values, the First Amendment protects freedom of speech. ... The First Amendment states, in relevant part, that: “Congress shall make no law... abridging freedom of speech.”

Who proposed the 2nd Amendment?

The Second Amendment, ratified in 1791, was proposed by James Madison to allow the creation of civilian forces that can counteract a tyrannical federal government.

What is the newest amendment?

Twenty-seventh Amendment, amendment (1992) to the Constitution of the United States that required any change to the rate of compensation for members of the U.S. Congress to take effect only after the subsequent election in the House of Representatives.

Who wrote the Constitution?

At the Constitutional Convention on September 17th, 1787, James Madison, known as the Founding Father formatted and wrote what we know as the US Constitution. All fifty-six delegates signed it, giving their unyielding approval.

What is the highest law in the United States?

This Constitution, and the Laws of the United States which shall be made in Pursuance thereof; and all Treaties made, or which shall be made, under the Authority of the United States, shall be the supreme Law of the Land; and the Judges in every State shall be bound thereby, any Thing in the Constitution or Laws of any ...

What is the 45th amendment of the United States?

The full text of the amendment is: Section 1—In case of the removal of the President from office or of his death or resignation, the Vice President shall become President.

What does amendment 19 say?

Passed by Congress June 4, 1919, and ratified on August 18, 1920, the 19th amendment guarantees all American women the right to vote. Achieving this milestone required a lengthy and difficult struggle; victory took decades of agitation and protest.

What is the 9th amendment in simple terms?

Ninth Amendment, amendment (1791) to the Constitution of the United States, part of the Bill of Rights, formally stating that the people retain rights absent specific enumeration. ... The enumeration in the Constitution, of certain rights, shall not be construed to deny or disparage others retained by the people.

What Does 5th Amendment say?

No person shall be held to answer for a capital, or otherwise infamous crime, unless on a presentment or indictment of a Grand Jury, except in cases arising in the land or naval forces, or in the Militia, when in actual service in time of War or public danger; nor shall any person be subject for the same offence to be ...

What does the 4th Amendment protect from?

The Constitution, through the Fourth Amendment, protects people from unreasonable searches and seizures by the government. The Fourth Amendment, however, is not a guarantee against all searches and seizures, but only those that are deemed unreasonable under the law.

Why is the 4 Amendment important?

The Fourth Amendment to the U.S. Constitution protects personal privacy, and every citizen's right to be free from unreasonable government intrusion into their persons, homes, businesses, and property -- whether through police stops of citizens on the street, arrests, or searches of homes and businesses.