Which document guarantees basic rights to the citizens of Missouri?

The Missouri Constitution guarantees basic rights to the citizens of Missouri through its detailed provisions outlining individual rights and freedoms. This document serves as the fundamental legal framework for the state, similar to how the U.S. Constitution functions at the national level. Within the Missouri Constitution, various articles specifically enumerate rights such as freedom of speech, the right to bear arms, and protections against unlawful searches and seizures, ensuring that citizens are aware of their entitlements and the limitations of government authority.

While the Bill of Rights is essential for protecting individual rights at the federal level, it does not specifically pertain to state constitutions, such as Missouri's. The Declaration of Independence, while a pivotal document in American history proclaiming the colonies' separation from British rule, does not outline specific rights for citizens within a governing framework. The Magna Carta, originating in England, laid early groundwork for concepts of legal rights but does not provide rights for American citizens or any direct applicability to Missouri's legal environment today. Hence, the Missouri Constitution is the primary document that explicitly guarantees those rights to its residents.