Amendment I

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.

 

Amendment II

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.

 

(Don't get confused about this one, folks. The argument was about whether or not to have a standing Federal army, not about whether or not people should be armed. This ammendment was to counter the fear that the Federal army would be used to suppress the people, that's you and me, of the United States. The decision was made that it would take too long for the individual States to collectively raise and train an army to defend the nation in time of emergency or invasion. Accordingly, "A well regulated militia" would be under Federal control to insure "the security of a free State" (State in this case meaning freedom for the entire Nation). Since the Feds would be armed, the people writing the Constitution wanted to make damned sure there was no legal way they could take our guns away. Simply put, the founding fathers wanted to make sure that the people could revolt if the Feds tried to clamp down. That's the same "people" as those mentioned in the First and Fourth ammendments, and referred to singularly in the Fifth: ALL of US who haven't lost our rights through due process.)

 

Amendment III

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.

 

Amendment IV

The right of the people to be secure in their persons, houses, papers, and effects, against unreasonable searches and seizures, shall not be violated, and no Warrants shall issue, but upon probable cause,

supported by Oath or affirmation, and particularly describing the place to be searched, and the persons or things to be seized.

 

Amendment V

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 twice put in jeopardy of life or limb; nor shall be compelled in any criminal case to be a witness against

himself, nor be deprived of life, liberty, or property, without due process of law; nor shall private property be taken for public use, without just compensation.

 

Amendment VI

In all criminal prosecutions, the accused shall enjoy the right to a speedy and public trial, by an impartial jury of the State and district wherein the crime shall have been committed, which district shall have been

previously ascertained by law, and to be informed of the nature and cause of the accusation; to be confronted with the witnesses against him; to have compulsory process for obtaining witnesses in his favor, and to have the Assistance of Counsel for his defence.

 

Amendment VII

In suits at common law, where the value in controversy shall exceed twenty dollars, the right of trial by jury shall be preserved, and no fact tried by a jury, shall be otherwise reexamined in any Court of the United States, than according to the rules of the common law.

 

Amendment VIII

Excessive bail shall not be required, nor excessive fines imposed, nor cruel and unusual punishments inflicted.

 

Amendment IX

The enumeration in the Constitution, of certain rights, shall not be construed to deny or disparage others retained by the people.

 

Amendment X

The powers not delegated to the United States by the Constitution, nor prohibited by it to the States, are reserved to the States respectively, or to the people.

 

This is a transcription of the first 10 amendments to the Constitution of The United States of America. Called the "Bill of Rights," these amendments were ratified on December 15, 1791.

 

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