Primary source · ratified 1791
Bill of Rights (Amendments 1–10)
Public domain. Hosted on Life Academy. MLA: U.S. Constitution. Amend. I–X. Life Academy Source Library.
Amendment I. 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.
Amendment II. 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.
Amendment IV. The right of the people to be secure in their persons, houses, papers, and effects, against unreasonable searches and seizures, shall not be violated…
Amendment V. No person shall be… deprived of life, liberty, or property, without due process of law; nor shall private property be taken for public use, without just compensation.
Read the verbs. The First Amendment binds Congress in its opening line. Later amendments and later cases matter — start with the words on this page before a slogan.