What does the Third Amendment protect?

• A. Freedom of assembly
• B. No illegal search and seizure
• C. No quartering of soldiers
• D. Right to speedy trial

Answer: (C)

This question tests protection against quartering soldiers in private homes without the owner's consent. After experiences with British troops being housed in colonists’ homes, the framers put in a rule that in peacetime a private home cannot be quartered for soldiers without the owner's permission, and in wartime this must be done only as law allows. The idea is to shield people’s homes and property from government intrusion and to preserve personal privacy and security. Other options point to different rights from other amendments—gathering peacefully is protected by the First Amendment, protection against unreasonable searches and seizures by the Fourth, and the right to a speedy trial by the Sixth. The Third Amendment specifically ensures that private homes aren’t used to quarter soldiers without consent.