2nd Amendment showerthought...

[jimmy the one]

24. pennsy minority rkba report

teddyR: .. earlier version of Pennsylvania's state constitution: The right of the citizens to bear arms in defence of themselves and the State shall not be questioned. (enacted 1790). I see no mention of a "militia" in this provision, and it plainly protects the right to bear arms in defense of one's self.

Would somebody email & explain to teddyR what 'the State' means. Pennsy's rkba in 1790 was militia centric.
Observe original rkba's circa 1776 - 1784, where 6 of the 8 were limited to common defense (militia), and the other 2 were militia centric (rkba for both self & state).

Eight of the original states enacted their own bills of rights (+ arms rights) prior to the adoption of the US Constitution. http://www.madisonbrigade.com/library_bor_2nd_amendment.htm#LEGISLATION

VIRGINIA (June 12, 1776) That a well-regulated militia, composed of the body of the people, trained to arms, is the proper, natural, and safe defence of a free state; that standing armies, in time of peace, should be avoided..
DELAWARE (Sep 11, 1776) That a well-regulated militia is the proper, natural and safe defence of a free government.
PENNSYLVANIA (Sep 28, 1776) That the people have a right to bear arms for the defence of themselves and the state;
MARYLAND (Nov 11, 1776) That a well-regulated militia is the proper and natural defence of a free government.
NORTH CAROLINA (Dec 18, 1776) That the people have a right to bear arms for the defence of the State; and, as standing armies, in time..
VERMONT (July 8, 1777) That the people have the right to bear arms for the defence of themselves and the State …
MASSACHUSETTS (Oct 25, 1780) The people have a right to keep and bear arms for the common defence.
NEW HAMPSHIRE (June 2, 1784) A well regulated militia is the proper, natural, and safe defence of a state.

circa constitution: .. numerous other proclamations being promulgated at the time:

MINORITY OF THE PENNSYLVANIA CONVENTION (Dec 12, 1787) That the people have a right to bear arms for the defence of themselves and their own state, or the United States, or for the purpose of killing game; and no law shall be passed for disarming the people or any of them, unless for crimes committed, or real danger of public inquiry from individuals.

NEW YORK CONVENTION (July 7,1788) That the militia should always be kept well organized, armed and disciplined, and include, according to past usages of the states, all the men capable of bearing arms, and that no regulations tending to render the general militia useless and defenceless, by establishing select corps of militia, of distinct bodies of military men, not having permanent interests and attachments to the community, ought to be made.
NEW YORK CONVENTION (July 26,1788) That the people have the right to keep and bear arms; that a well-regulated militia, including the body of the people capable of bearing arms, is the proper, natural, and safe defence of a free state.
RHODE ISLAND RATIFICATION CONVENTION (May 29, 1790) XVII. That the people have a right to keep and bear arms; that a well-regulated militia, including the body of the people capable of bearing arms, is the proper, natural, and safe defence of a free state.