How Much Would You Change the Bill of Rights?

When the Constitution was ratified in 1788, it included 10 amendments known as the Bill of Rights. While some of these are well known and referred to on a regular basis (looking at you 1st, 2nd, and 5th amendments) others are a touch outdated (3rd and 7th seem to fall into this category), while others are not talked about much, but are a bedrock of our systems of government. As we are approaching the Country’s 250th Anniversary Americans, if given the opportunity, would have some changes to the Bill of Rights. The 6th Amendment would be the least likely to change, while many Americans have note for the 2nd Amendment.

We provided a “cheat sheet” for the respondents:

The First Amendment- The freedom of religion, the press, speech, and the right to peaceably assemble and protest.

The Second Amendment- The right to bear arms.

The Third Amendment- The right of homeowners to not have to let soldiers stay in their house without their consent.

The Fourth Amendment-To protect people against unreasonable searches and seizures of their property and belongings.

The Fifth Amendment-Rights in criminal cases which includes not having to be a witness against yourself, that the government can’t take your property without compensation, and that to be charged with a serious crime there must be an indictment from a Grand Jury.

The Sixth Amendment-The right to a fair trial which should be speedy and public, include a jury trial in the state where the crime was committed.

The Seventh Amendment-In a civil case the common law will be used but there is a right to a jury trial if the dispute in question is more than $20.

The Eighth Amendment- That cruel and unusual punishment and excessive bail are not allowed.

The Ninth Amendment-That the people have other rights that might not be mentioned in the Constitution, but just because they are not mentioned does not mean they don’t exist.

The Tenth Amendment-That the powers given to the federal government are limited, and any power not given are for the states or the people.