This learning outcome concerns engagement in civic life, including Supreme Court cases connected to the Bill of Rights (Amendments 1 and 2, respectively) concerning individuals burning flags and possessing guns. What other activities do you or others do, or could/would you or others do, which you feel would be protected by Amendment 1? Your response should total approximately 500 words.

The First Amendment Protections Student’s Name Institutional Affiliation Course Professor Date The First Amendment Protections The U.S. First Amendment guarantees various fundamental rights, including “freedom of speech, press, assembly, petition of the government for a redress of grievances, and freedom of religion” (Fisher, 2024). Such protections are crucial for civic engagement and have been foundational for several landmark Supreme Court cases. Even though the specific examples of flag burning and gun ownership mainly comprise the First and Second Amendments, there are many other activities protected under the First Amendment that highlight its significance in preserving a democratic society. The Act of Flag Burning Since the American flag is arguably the most sacred U.S. symbol, flag discretion has been the most controversial and polarizing issue. Throughout the 20th century, the Court passed down decisions on flag discretion. Even though laws have been passed making the burning of the flag a crime, the Court has overturned these laws and decided that the First Amendment protected flag burning as symbolic speech (Ryman & Alcorn, 2024). One of the major cases involved is Texas v. Johnson (1989), where the Court, under Justice William Brennan, held that Johnson’s burning of the flag was “protected expression under the First Amendment” (Ryman & Alcorn, 2024). Possessing Guns The Second Amendment provides that "it protects an individual right of private citizens to keep and bear personal arms for self-defense" (Ronald Reagan, n.d.). This right ensures that Americans possess weapons for their protection and the protection of their property. One of the major cases that involves such protected rights is the District of Columbia v. Heller (2008), where Heller challenges the city's handgun ban, which specified that it is unlawful to carry an unregistered firearm and banned the registration of handguns. The Court ruled in favor of Heller, stating that the "Second Amendment protected the right of all individual citizens to keep and bear their weapons to defend themselves, instead of only being for a state-run militia” (Ronald Reagan, n.d.) Freedom of Speech A...