I think so. If we didn’t have them, we could get a cruel and unusual punishment for doing a minor thing. For instance shoplifting, if we shoplifted we could have our hand chopped off. This may keep people from stealing but I think it’s a bit much. A 30-year-old man was indicted by a federal grand jury in connection with the robbery of an Omaha credit union in the summer 1999. Alonxo Wright of 122 Park Ave. is charged with a count of bank robbery. Alonzo was accused of robbing the Midwest Industrial Credit Union on July 8 1999.

This article relates to the fifth amendment. It states no person shall be held to answer for a capital or other 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 offense 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 be taken for public use with out just compensation.

Starting on Sunday, October 01, 2000 every new handgun sold in Maryland, the manufacturer will have to give state police a spent shell casing carrying the weapon’s ballistic fingerprint. This is the first law of its kind. Each casing has a unique mark and that mark will be entered into a database. So when the police find a casing at a crime scene they know what gun it came from. This article has to do with the second amendment which is, 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.

I think the law is just making it harder for people to buy guns. Most killers don’t leave behind shell casings. If someone is going to kill someone else they don’t have to shoot them with a gun. The killer could choose some other method of killing the victim. In Charleston, South Carolina, pregnant women who have a history of cocaine use or whose prenatal exams suggests cocaine use, are tested when they come to the hospital for a check up.

If tests come back positive for cocaine, they are arrested for distributing to a minor. This is in direct violation with their fourth amendment rights which are, the right of the people to be secure in 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.

I think that law is a good one but it has a lot of negative sides, like cocaine users won’t come in for a check up and they could have problems with their pregnancy and giving birth. Now pregnant women are given an option to get treatment or be arrested. In conclusion, the Bill of Rights is very important because it protects the rights of criminals and law-abiding citizens. The Bill of Rights gives us the opportunity to exercise our rights (to own a gun if we choose to) but the law is there to give direction.