What does the Bill of Rights guarantee?

The Bill of Rights, the first ten amendments to the United States Constitution, primarily guarantees individual liberties and protections from government overreach. This foundational document was created to address concerns about the potential for governmental abuse of power and ensures that certain fundamental rights, such as freedom of speech, freedom of religion, the right to bear arms, and protection against unreasonable searches and seizures, among others, are preserved for individuals.

By explicitly enumerating these rights, the Bill of Rights serves as a safeguard against government actions that could infringe upon personal freedoms. It emphasizes the importance of protecting individual rights in the context of a democracy, ensuring that citizens have the necessary legal protections to foster their freedoms and maintain their autonomy.

In contrast, while the rights of states against the federal government, economic rights, and voting rights are important aspects of American democracy, they are not the primary focus of the Bill of Rights. The amendments specifically center around individual liberties, underscoring the critical role these rights play in the framework of U.S. law and governance.