Editor's Note on reposting (December 15, 2015): Today is the 224th anniversary of the ratification of the Bill of Rights, so I thought I'd repost this item from December 12, 2011. I checked the website in question at USCourts.gov, and the quiz and its offending question about the 2nd Amendment have since been removed. Still I thought it was worth a flashback post this Bill of Rights Day. This year, USCourts.gov sent out a press release on December 10 plugging educational resources on the website for high school educators, urging people to "Brush Up on Your Freedoms."
As part of its celebration of the 220th anniversary of the ratification of the Bill of Rights, USCourts.gov, the federal judiciary's official website, has a 10-question quiz on the Bill of Rights.
On question #8, however, the quiz asks the following oddly-worded question (emphasis mine):
Which Amendment discusses "the right of the people to keep and bear arms?"
A) The Tenth
B) The Ninth
C) The Third
D) The Second
In no other question in the quiz devoted to rights protected by the Constitution is such neutral mealy-mouthed language employed. For example, question 3:
Which of these rights is not explicitly mentioned in the First Amendment?
A) Freedom of religion
B) Freedom of speech
C) Freedom of the press
D) Right to assemble peaceably
E) Right of association
F) Right to petition the government
Which Amendment protects you against unreasonable searches and seizures by government agents?
Question #5:
Which Amendment protects against being a witness against yourself (the right against self-incrimination)?
Question #6:
Which Amendment states: "Excessive bail shall not be required, nor excessive fines imposed, nor cruel and unusual punishments inflicted?"
And question #7:
Which Amendment includes the right of defendants in criminal prosecutions to confront witnesses against them?
