It is believed by some that state and local governments may choose to deny citizens the rights defined by the Bill of Rights.
Should the federal government protect ALL your rights EVERYWHERE in the USA?
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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.
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
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.
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.
No person shall be held to answer for any 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.
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 where in 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 defense.
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 re-examined in any court of the United States, than according to the rules of the common law
Excessive bail shall not be required, nor excessive fines imposed, nor cruel and unusual punishments inflicted.
The enumeration in the Constitution, of certain rights, shall not be construed to deny or disparage others retained by the people.
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.
Comments (2)
As I understand it, individual states have the right to enact their own statutes so long as they do not interfere with, or override the Constitution/Bill of Rights which was put in place for all Americans equally.
Therefore, I do not believe the Chicago, etc. "laws" are legal.
The Constitution/BoR is the "end all-be all" and all bills/laws MUST pass muster with it, and not usurp it.
There are SOOO many unconstitutional "laws" on the books right now, it's truly pathetic!!
All Americans should have handy; their Bible (for those that are Christian, obviously), and if not, at LEAST a copy of the Constitution/BoR!!! Then, when you question a proposed bill or law, check it against these two most valuable resources!!
Just my two cents!
When I was a very young man African Americans were denied many of their rights in some areas, counter to what the Constitution guarantees them. The federal government sent agents into many of these areas, to enforce the Constitution. Now, the federal government may end up movoing agents into many areas to deprive citizens, black and white, of many of their rights.
The excuse that citizens in some places don't want their neighbors to have guns, and gun bans should be a local option, isn't much different than the excuses used by segregationists so many years ago.
The Constitution guarantees our rights, democracy guarantees absolutely nothing but tyranny!