Who are the Militia?

[AtheistCrusader]

64. Partially agree. Except

Federalist 29:


"Disciplining the whole nation is impractical. However, we should adopt a well-formed plan to create a militia as soon as possible. The government should form a small army that is fit for service in case of need. With a clear plan, a trained militia will be ready whenever the defense of the States requires it. We will need fewer military forts and bases. And if circumstances ever force the government to form a large army, it will never be a big threat to the liberties of the people. There will be a large body of citizens who are members of the militia. They will be disciplined and trained in the use of arms. They will be ready to defend their own rights and those of their fellow citizens. This is the only substitute for a standing army. And it is the best security against a standing army, if it exists."

The 'whereas' clause of the 2nd Amendment speaks to a goal, again, as I said earlier, it does not establish or limit a protected class. The OPERATIVE clause is 'the PEOPLE' keep/bear arms. Because, the Militia is formed of the People in times of need.

I do agree that the training envisioned above is lacking. That doesn't change the protected class of the 2nd Amendment, and does not render it obsolete. The National Guard is a logical extension of a standing army, drawing pay from the DoD, subject to regulation and control by the DoD, and ultimately subordinate to the President at the stroke of a pen.

State Guards are a closer analogy to the ORGANIZED and drilled militia described, and it is still formed of the People, who ought to remain armed. All the normal 'arms' of a soldier are, and can of course be, available to you and I. (This has never been interpreted to include crew served weapons, or destructive devices, of which were normally owned by and stored in municipal armories.)