What is a right guaranteed by the First Amendment?

The First Amendment to the United States Constitution guarantees several fundamental rights that are essential for a democratic society. One of these rights is the right to free speech, which allows individuals to express their opinions, thoughts, and beliefs without government interference or censorship. This provision is crucial for fostering open discourse, debate, and the exchange of ideas, which are foundational elements of democracy.

The other options reference rights that are protected under different amendments or laws. The right to a speedy trial is guaranteed by the Sixth Amendment, the right to vote is protected by various amendments, including the Fifteenth, Nineteenth, and Twenty-fourth, and the right to bear arms is enshrined in the Second Amendment. Therefore, the unique core protection of free speech provided by the First Amendment distinctly underscores its importance in safeguarding individual liberties against government overreach.