What is the purpose of the Bill of Rights?

The purpose of the Bill of Rights is to guarantee individual freedoms that protect citizens from potential government overreach. Ratified in 1791 as the first ten amendments to the U.S. Constitution, the Bill of Rights ensures fundamental rights such as freedom of speech, religion, assembly, and the press, as well as the right to bear arms and protection against unreasonable search and seizure. By explicitly listing these rights, the Bill of Rights serves to limit the authority of the federal government and affirms the principle that individuals possess inherent rights that should not be violated. This foundational text has played a crucial role in the development of American civil liberties and continues to be referenced in legal cases and discussions about human rights.