Originally 12 amendments were proposed to clarify open issues in the U. S. Constitution. Of these twelve, 10 were passed by the required three-fourths of the state legislatures and became known as "The Bill of Rights." Among the rights granted citizens were freedom of religion and the right to bear arms. The Georgia legislature convinced that the amendments were unnecessary, did not ratify the Bill of Rights. Regardless, when Virginia ratified them on December 15, 1791, the amendments became law. Joining Georgia in the belief the amendments were unneeded were Connecticut and Massachusetts.