The Bill of Rights Ensures the Government Can’t Do Whatever It Wants

[Geee]

Heritage Foundation:

Since the horrific terrorist attack in Orlando, Florida, nearly two weeks ago—the worst terrorist attack on U.S. soil since Sept. 11, 2001—Congress has been engrossed in a debate about what can be done to prevent something like this from happening again.

 

Unfortunately, many of members of Congress believe that those four words—“something must be done”—give the federal government permission to do whatever it wants.

 

In their grief for the victims, and in their concern about the safety of our communities, many Americans have come to the same conclusion: “something must be done.”

 

Unfortunately, many of members of Congress believe that those four words—“something must be done”—give the federal government permission to do whatever it wants.

 

But the government can’t do whatever it wants, not even at a time of great anxiety and insecurity. In fact, there are several things that the government is expressly prohibited from doing under any circumstances.

 

 

The government may not infringe on “the right of the people to keep and bear arms.” It may not violate the “right of the people to be secure in their persons, houses, papers, and effects, against unreasonable searches and seizures.” Nor may it deprive any person “of life, liberty, or property, without due process of law.”