The First Amendment of the U.S. Constitution protects which of the following rights?

The First Amendment of the U.S. Constitution is primarily concerned with protecting several fundamental rights related to expression and assembly. The correct choice focuses on freedom of speech, which is a central element of the First Amendment. This amendment prohibits Congress from making laws that abridge the freedom of speech, allowing individuals to express their thoughts, beliefs, and opinions without government interference.

While the First Amendment also provides protection for other rights, such as freedom of the press and the right to assemble peacefully, the freedom of speech is one of its most significant and widely recognized rights. This foundational principle has been the basis for numerous legal cases and debates around the extent of expression and the balance between free speech and other societal interests.

The other options pertain to different amendments or legal protections. The right to bear arms is protected by the Second Amendment, the right to privacy is a concept associated with various legal interpretations rather than an explicit amendment, and freedom of assembly is also protected by the First Amendment but is secondary to the primary focus of freedom of speech.