Which rights are guaranteed by the 14th Amendment?

• A. Citizenship for all persons born or naturalized in the US
• B. Due process for those accused of crimes
• C. Citizenship, due process, and equal protection for all persons born or naturalized
• D. The right to bear arms

Answer: (C)

The main idea here is what the 14th Amendment guarantees to people within the United States. It ensures three interconnected protections: citizenship, due process, and equal protection. The Citizenship Clause establishes that people born here or naturalized become citizens. The Due Process Clause prevents states from depriving anyone of life, liberty, or property without fair legal procedures. The Equal Protection Clause requires state laws to treat people who are similarly situated equally. Put together, these provisions ensure that individuals are recognized as citizens, are protected by fair process, and receive equal protection under state laws.

The other choices miss part of this scope or point to rights not defined by the 14th Amendment itself. Citizenship alone is not the full guarantee, and due process alone doesn’t capture the full protection—equal protection matters as well. The right to bear arms is a Second Amendment right, not a guaranteed provision of the 14th Amendment.