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The ninth amendment says that the rights in the Bill of Rights are not the only ones we have.

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The Seventh Amendment is about the right to a trial by an unbiased jury. The Bill of Rights states, " In Suits at common law, where the value in controversy shall exceed twenty dollars, the right of trial by jury shall be preserved, and no fact tried by a jury, shall be otherwise re-examined in any Court of the United States, than according to the rules of the common law."

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The Second Amendment is about the right to bear arms. The Bill of Rights states, "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." This amendment is important because the weapons can be used for self defense. Citizens need to have the right to protect themselves. #SelfDefense

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The Third Amendment is about not having to let soldiers use your house as a place to sleep during a time of peace. The Bill of Rights states, "No Soldier shall, in time of peace be quartered in any house, without the consent of the Owner, nor in time of war, but in a manner to be prescribed by law." This amendment is important because it is essentially saying that you have your property rights; no soldier can suddenly use your private property as a place of residence during peacetime. #NotAHotel

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The Fourth Amendment is about the right to no searches or seizures without a warrant. The Bill of Rights states, "The right of the people to be secure in their persons, houses, papers, and effects, against unreasonable searches and seizures, shall not be violated, and no Warrants shall issue, but upon probable cause, supported by Oath or affirmation, and particularly describing the place to be searched, and the persons or things to be seized." This amendment protects private property, and says you are innocent until proven guilty. It also says you have the right to due process and no seizures or searches without a warrant. #NothingToSeeHere

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The Fifth Amendment is about Double Jeopardy. The Bill of Rights states, "No person shall be held to answer for a capital, or otherwise infamous crime, unless on a presentment or indictment of a Grand Jury, except in cases arising in the land or naval forces, or in the Militia, when in actual service in time of War or public danger; nor shall any person be subject for the same offence to be twice put in jeopardy of life or limb; nor shall be compelled in any criminal case to be a witness against himself, nor be deprived of life, liberty, or property, without due process of law; nor shall private property be taken for public use, without just compensation." This amendment is important because it doesn't force someone to be accused of something that they were not responsible for. #PleadTheFifth

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Discover recipes, home ideas, style inspiration and other ideas to try.

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The First Amendment is about protecting the freedom of speech, religion, press, assembly, and petition. The Bill of Rights states, "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." This amendment is important because if you cannot express your opinions and ideas on your society's government and other issues, then there will be no change. No problems will be solved if nobody has the right to speak out about them. #SpeakForYourself

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Every student at Mill Valley has taken or will take a Civics class, but how many of us have retained our knowledge of our own basic rights? Out of 228 students surveyed, 21 percent were unable to name any of the rights guaranteed to us by the First Amendment (freedom of religion, speech, press and the rights to petition and to assemble). Now more than ever, it is critical to be informed and educated about your rights. Knowing your rights not only helps you defend your stances; it also helps you exercise them more confidently because you know the limitations to your protection.

The importance of the First Amendment is demonstrated every day. Every aspect of our country is based on these five rights, from exercising our freedom of speech on Twitter to the JagWire staff writing this very article.

There have been countless controversies regarding our First Amendment rights. One recent is the NFL kneeling issue: is kneeling covered under the First Amendment? Suddenly, people become advocates for the freedoms or start analyzing small details about how far the protection goes. But how can we analyze these situations if only 28 percent of us are able to list all five of the rights?

Kneeling utilizes the right to free speech by allowing NFL players to receive acknowledgement of their viewpoints. It also showcases petition and peaceful assembly as a way of voicing their opinions. However, because the NFL is a private institution, the players may be able to escape government persecution, but they can be fired for kneeling with minimal repercussions to the owners.

Due to the wave of "fake news," press rights are being questioned heavily. However, these rights can be found in different pieces of legislation; the JagWire is protected by the Kansas Student Publications Act. Similarly, freedom of religion is being questioned more and more. Ten percent of students surveyed believe that Muslim Americans don't have any of the rights guaranteed under the Constitution.

The idea that we shouldn't just be a herd of sheep cluelessly following around a great leader and instead should be informed citizens has been around since the founding of the U.S.. All of us should help serve the document that protects our rights. There are numerous ways to do so, from staying aware of current legislation to volunteering with a political campaign.

While the freedoms afforded to us by the First Amendment are basic parts of our day to day lives, they are still important. We cannot take them for granted. As a citizen of the U.S., it is your responsibility to be active and engaged in the workings of government around us. Exercise your ability to speak up.

As University of Kansas Constitutional Law professor, Stephen McAllister, said, "Being knowledgeable about the Constitution helps all of us be more constructive and engaged citizens on a host of issues that our society faces." It's impossible to protect our democracy if we don't know our rights.

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Staff editorial: Understand the First Amendment

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Every student at Mill Valley has taken or will take a Civics class, but how many of us have retained our knowledge of our own basic rights? Out of 228 students surveyed, 21 percent were unable to name any of the rights guaranteed to us by the First Amendment (freedom of religion, speech, press and...

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The Sixth Amendment is about criminal prosecutions. The Bill of Rights states, "In all criminal prosecutions, the accused shall enjoy the right to a speedy and public trial, by an impartial jury of the State and district wherein the crime shall have been committed, which district shall have been previously ascertained by law, and to be informed of the nature and cause of the accusation; to be confronted with the witnesses against him; to have compulsory process for obtaining witnesses in his favor, and to have the Assistance of Counsel for his defense" The sixth amendment shows that in a criminal trial the accused has the rights to a fast and public trial, an unbiased jury, and the right to know the cause of the accusation. #CallMyLawyer

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The eighth amendment is about cruel and unusual punishments. "Excessive bail shall not be required, nor excessive fines imposed, nor cruel and unusual punishments inflicted." (Bill of Rights, Amendment VIII) This means that bail shouldn't cost an unreasonable price, and criminals should not be punished in unusual ways. #Monopoly

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The tenth amendment is about reserved powers. It states, "The powers not delegated to the United States by the Constitution, nor prohibited by it to the States, are reserved to the States respectively, or to the people." It means that there are some powers that are meant for the states or the people. It has to do with federalism. #StateRights