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.(Ratified December 1791)

What does the amendment say?

People have the right to bear arms Carry guns for protection Just for protection/self-defense

Not for homicide etc.

The people are allowed to have a militia for their own security Minutemen used to be used

Why was it added to the Constitution?

The colonists didn’t like the idea of having a standing army during a time of peace when they were under the rule of Britain

Having this amendment was a way for the people to have security A way to protect themselves

Why is the amendment important?

The amendment is important because it gives the people their own choice whether or not to carry a weapon for protection

Its not the government’s choiceIt was important because it was a balance

between what the Americans wanted and the old British rule

How does it apply to the United States today?

The national guard are today’s minutemenThere is a current problem with gun control

It is a big controversy because some people don’t use their weapons for just self-defense or protection

People today keep weapons in their homes as a source of protection from any invasions In cases that threats have been detected, people

maintain a gun in case of anything to occur. But there is still a controversy on whether or not

should individuals should possess weapons in their homes, because this right can be taken advantage of.

Amendment VIII

Excessive bail shall not be required, nor excessive fines imposed, nor cruel and unusual

punishments inflicted. (Ratified December 1791)

Amendment VIII

What does the amendment say?Protection of prisoners’ rights before and

after they are convicted Excessive bail cannot be posted in order to hold the

prisoners When found guilty, no fines and “cruel and unusual”

punishments can be given

Amendment VIII

Why was it added to the Constitution? Protected the rights of prisoners Idea also used in:

English Bill of Rights Massachusetts Body of Liberties

Amendment VIII

Why is the amendment important? Protects the rights of all U.S. citizensCreates equality

No discrimination against the prisoners

Amendment VIII

How does it apply to the United States today?How far should a punishment go?

Is the death penalty acceptable?

What is excessive bail or not? Prisoner who does not make bail is sent to jail

Supreme Court Case: Hudson v. McMillian November 13, 1991 – February 25, 1992 A Louisiana prisoner, Keith Hudson, accused two prisoner

guards beat him, under the supervision of the supervisor – later Hudson sued the guards for violating the eighth amendment

The supreme court ruled no (6-to-3) Absence of the proof of “significant injury” – does not mean his

rights were violated

Worked Cited

“Hudson v. McMillian.” The Oyez Project. 503 U.S. 1. 1992. 9 January 2009. <http://www.oyez.org/cases/1990-1999/1991/1991_90_6531/>.

Interactive Constitution. National Constitution Center. 2003. 9 January 2009. < http://72.32.50.200/constitution/details_explanation.php?link=151&const=15_amd_08 >.

"Second Amendment to the United States Constitution." Wikipedia, The Free Encyclopedia. 13 Jan 2009, 13 Jan 2009 <http://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=Second_Amendment_to_the_United_States_Constitution&oldid=263838456>.