eye95
Well-known member
You can (you have the "right" to) yell "FIRE" in a theater even if there isn't any fire. There is no restriction on what you can yell... anywhere at any time.... but there can be consequences (penalties) to yelling or saying something somewhere that causes harm to someone else...
By that logic, you have a right to commit armed robbery. It's just that there are consequences.
A right is something you may do that has been specifically designated as having no consequence under the law. If the government can use the force of law to punish you for an action, you do not have a right to do it--by definition.
You have the right to carry a gun (at least if you're not in Chicago), but not to commit armed robbery. You have the right to speak freely, but not to create a physical hazard for others.