Back to the Beginning: Discussing 3 of Our Amendments

Written & Edited by: Alyson Garcia

This week we are bringing it back to the first blog post we made, where we covered some of the first Amendments in the Bill of Rights. Understanding your rights directly written in the Constitution is one of the most important things as a citizen. This week we’ll discuss 3 more Amendments, to help you

1. Second Amendment: Right to Bear Arms

   1. In history, this amendment was made because the United States did not have their own military; meaning it was up to the citizens to defend the nation.

   2. In current terms, it means that average civilians are allowed to own, and carry weapons/firearms.

   3. This does not, however, mean that you can just buy a gun anywhere easily. There is still a lot of paperwork and background checks to ensure you are fit to own one.

2. Fourth Amendment: Searches and Seizures 

   1. This amendment was put in place to protect citizens from being unlawfully searched, or for their things to be taken.

   2. This amendment not only means that your person can not be unlawfully searched, but your property can’t either; this includes your home, car, storage unit, etc.

   3. The only way to be searched or have your items seized is if a warrant by a judge is issued after being presented with a probable cause, meaning a judge has to rule that law enforcement has a true reason to do this.

3. Twelfth Amendment: Election of President

   1. It made adjustments to things such as the electoral college, and it separates the election of vice-president and president.

   2. Before this, the runner up in the presidential election would become the vice-president causing a lot of conflict.