Saturday, May 04, 2013

"...and this right shall never be questioned...."

CONSTITUTION OF THE STATE OF MAINE,

FORMED IN CONVENTION AT PORTLAND, OCTOBER TWENTY NINTH, AND ADOPTED BY THE PEOPLE IN TOWN MEETINGS ON THE SIXTH OF DECEMBER A.D. 1819, AND OF THE INDEPENDENCE OF THE UNITED STATES THE FORTY-FOURTH.

PREAMBLE

Object of government

ARTICLE I

Sect. I. Natural rights

2. All power inherent in the people
3. Religions freedom. All religious sects equal. Religious tests prohibited.
4. Freedom of speech and publication Truth may be given in evidence.
5. Unreasonable searches
6. Rights of persons accused
7. No person to answer to a capital or infamous crime but on indictment. Exceptions. Juries.
8. Not to be put in jeopardy twice for one crime.
9. Sanguinary laws prohibited
10. Bailable offences. Habeas corpus
11. Bills of attainder &c prohibited.
12. Treason.
13. Suspension of laws
14. Corporal punishment under military law.
15. Right to petition.
16. To keep and bear arms.
17. Standing armies not to be kept.
18. No soldiers to be quartered on citizens in time of peace.
19. Right of redress for injuries.
20. Trial by jury.
21. Private property not to be taken without compensation.
22. Taxes.
23. Titles of nobility prohibited.
24. Other rights not impaired.

We the people of Maine in order to establish justice, insure tranquillity, provide for our mutual defence, promote our common welfare, and secure to ourselves and our posterity the blessings of liberty, acknowledging with grateful hearts the goodness of the Sovereign Ruler of the Universe in affording us an opportunity, so favorable to the design; and imploring his aid and direction in its accomplishment, do agree to form ourselves into a free and independent state, by the style and title of the State of Maine, and do ordain and establish the following constitution for the government the same.

ARTICLE I

Declaration of rights.

Sect 16. Every citizen has a right to keep and bear arms for the common defence; and this right shall never be questioned.

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