What is the primary purpose of the Bill of Rights?

The primary purpose of the Bill of Rights is to protect individual freedoms and rights. Ratified in 1791, the Bill of Rights consists of the first ten amendments to the United States Constitution, and it was created to ensure specific liberties for individuals against potential government overreach. These amendments safeguard essential rights such as freedom of speech, religion, and assembly, the right to bear arms, and the protection against unreasonable searches and seizures, among others.

The intent behind incorporating the Bill of Rights was largely a response to concerns that the Constitution by itself did not afford adequate protection for personal liberties, and thus it serves as a crucial foundation for American civil liberties. This focus on individual rights distinguishes it from other aspects of the Constitution, such as the establishment of government frameworks or citizen responsibilities, which are not the primary objectives of the Bill of Rights.