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The Bill of Rights

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The Bill of Rights
Rebecca D. Joy
Pima Community College
Business 220

Professor Browning
March 11, 2014

The Bill of Rights
The Bill of Rights creation began over two hundred years ago in 1789 and were ratified and put into effect December 15, 1791. “The Bill of Rights may be old but they are still America’s most debated and discussed section of the United States Constitution”, (Stutzman). The Bill of Rights were created to put limits on government’s power over the people and extend the powers to the citizens of the United States of America.
James Madison wrote the bill of rights (Who wrote the bill of rights, 1), but he was not a true supporter of the bill of rights and did not think that the constitution needed to be changed. Thomas Jefferson convinced Madison of the need to protect the people from the government no matter the size of the current government and together they wrote The Bill of Rights. George Mason's example of the Virginia Declaration of Rights and other states Declaration of rights, also helped Jefferson and Madison in forming The Bill of Rights.
First amendment:
The freedom of speech, press, religion, assembly, and petition. This amendment protects American’s rights to speak or write personal opinions, religiously worship any religion and in any manner a person wants to, assemble groups large or small in a peaceful manner, and petition the government if necessary.
Second amendment:
The right to bear arms. The amendment began as a way to insure that American’s were able to protect themselves from invading British troops but evolved into a guarantee that non-military members (citizens) have a right to own a gun(s) and to protect themselves and their property. States also have the right to have their own militia. The only restrictions on this amendment is that persons under the age of 18 and convicted felons are not allowed

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