One of the bedrock guarantees in the U.S. Constitution is freedom of speech. Freedom of speech means that the government cannot prevent people from expressing their opinions. However, freedom of speech does not mean anything goes in all contexts. Many laws limit what people can say and do. The rules governing speech are especially important in a polarized, diverse society with many opposing viewpoints. What are the rules governing speech?

The freedom of the press is one of the most important civil liberties in the United States. A free press informs the public about government actions, makes the government aware of the public’s interests and needs, and allows for sharing of ideas and information. Freedom of the press was first established in the First Amendment and has since grown in scope. What safeguards does the U.S. have to protect this freedom? How has the freedom of the press changed over time?

One of the most controversial civil liberties guaranteed in the Constitution is the right to bear arms. For most of U.S. history, the government has regulated the kinds of firearms that can be owned and who can own them. More recently, a series of court decisions as well as state legislative actions have sought to tighten requirements for firearms purchase and ownership, and in some cases, loosen firearms regulations. How extensive is the right to bear arms?