What did the Founders mean...

[Alea]

8. I can't say it better than most of the posters above have already said, but will add

that if a time comes where militias are needed, it is expected that the people provide their own weapons. In a time of national crises the Government may not, or will not have the resources to arm the militias or people. The Government may not even exist at that point. Many people say Admiral Yamamoto once said you can not attack the Mainland of the United States for there would be a gun behind every blade of grass. It has been disputed whether Yamamoto actually said this, but that doesn't really matter. Every potential enemy this county may ever face should believe that there will be a gun behind every blade of grass, that all or most all of the citizens of the United States will be armed and ready to defend this country.

We live in an increasingly unstable world and I myself don't put it past a few countries like Russia, North Korea, Iran, China, and whomever they can get to throw in with, get together and "Take America out". Conventionally or Nuclear, but either way at some point the fight could be right here on our soil, and I hope if that time ever comes there will be and American with a gun behind every blade of grass.

I think that's just one part of what the Founders meant. I think they felt all Americans had a right to self defense in any crises that may arise, whether one on one, or Army vs Army, or Government vs Citizens. It may not all be encompassed in the Second Amendment, but within the Constitution, the Bill of Rights and the additional Amendments, the Federalist Papers, and the writings of many of the other founders, I believe they wanted us to protect ourselves and the Country, with deadly force if necessary.

That's my take on it