Who are the Militia?

[jimmy the one]

149. the right of the people to be equipped snbi

I'd not heard of it prior either, jmg, but I'm wondering if we shouldn't give some partial credit to beevul. Just imagine, madison could've written it this way:
.. "A WRM, being necessary etc.. the right of the people to be equipped snbi".
I think it synonymous with what he wrote, or at least intended. Adding 'well' equipped would be gloss tho, & actually could be construed as excluding inferior weapons.
Here again is the 1828 definition:
websters1828 dictionary: EQUIP'1. Properly, to dress; to habit. Hence, to furnish with arms, or a complete suit of arms, for military service. Thus we say, to equip men or troops for war; to equip a body of infantry or cavalry. But the word seems to include not only arms, but clothing, baggage, utensils, tents, and all the apparatus of an army, particularly when applied to a body of troops. Hence, to furnish with arms and warlike apparatus; as, to equip a regiment.
2. To furnish with men, artillery and munitions of war, as a ship. Hence, in common language, to fit for sea; to furnish with whatever is necessary for a voyage.
EQUIP'PED, pp. Furnished with habiliments, arms, and whatever is necessary for a military expedition, or for a voyage or cruise.

Again: "A WRM, being necessary etc.. the right of the people to be equipped snbi"

Obviously militias were internally landlocked at their own desires so we can dismiss sea cruises, but the definition of 'equip' was used in a military sense.
So to substitute 'equip' for 'right to keep & bear arms' would put 2ndA in a clearer military sense, don't you think?
.. equipping the people with arms would be only an instrumental part of being a well reg'd militia, but they could not equate as beevul contends. Silly to be redundant 'A large militia being necessary, the right of the people to be large snbi'.
I can hear the wheels spinning in beevul's head already - but madison DIDNT use equip, so he must've meant it individually by saying 'the people'! which means he'd have to about face 180 degrees, or at least change his screenname, to go with it.
I think beevul's been cornered on his 'well equipped' argument.