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Old July 30, 2012, 05:55 PM   #51
Aguila Blanca
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Join Date: September 25, 2008
Location: CONUS
Posts: 18,433
Quote:
Originally Posted by BlueTrain
No, I believe the "well-regulated" part was that the militia be under government control. Clearly! They didn't want private armies. Your opinion may differ but I don't want private armies, either.
Your belief is incorrect. It has been well and thoroughly documented that the phrase "well regulated" as used in the 2nd Amendment meant "well trained." If you want doublespeak, how can you possibly rationalize saying in the same sentence that the militia (the people) should be "regulated" (in the sense of subject to restrictions in their arms) and also that the RKBA shall not be infringed (regulated)?

As to armies, you have it reversed. What the Founders did not want was a standing (public) army. They wanted the People -- the militia -- to be the first line of defense. The original Militia Act of 1792 specifically stated:

Quote:
That each and every free able-bodied white male citizen of the respective States, resident therein, who is or shall be of age of eighteen years, and under the age of forty-five years (except as is herein after excepted) shall severally and respectively be enrolled in the militia, by the Captain or Commanding Officer of the company, within whose bounds such citizen shall reside, and that within twelve months after the passing of this Act. And it shall at all time hereafter be the duty of every such Captain or Commanding Officer of a company, to enroll every such citizen as aforesaid, and also those who shall, from time to time, arrive at the age of 18 years, or being at the age of 18 years, and under the age of 45 years (except as before excepted) shall come to reside within his bounds; and shall without delay notify such citizen of the said enrollment, by the proper non-commissioned Officer of the company, by whom such notice may be proved. That every citizen, so enrolled and notified, shall, within six months thereafter, provide himself with a good musket or firelock, a sufficient bayonet and belt, two spare flints, and a knapsack, a pouch, with a box therein, to contain not less than twenty four cartridges, suited to the bore of his musket or firelock, each cartridge to contain a proper quantity of powder and ball; or with a good rifle, knapsack, shot-pouch, and powder-horn, twenty balls suited to the bore of his rifle, and a quarter of a pound of powder; and shall appear so armed, accoutred and provided, when called out to exercise or into service, except, that when called out on company days to exercise only, he may appear without a knapsack. That the commissioned Officers shall severally be armed with a sword or hanger, and espontoon; and that from and after five years from the passing of this Act, all muskets from arming the militia as is herein required, shall be of bores sufficient for balls of the eighteenth part of a pound; and every citizen so enrolled, and providing himself with the arms, ammunition and accoutrements, required as aforesaid, shall hold the same exempted from all suits, distresses, executions or sales, for debt or for the payment of taxes.
Source: http://www.constitution.org/mil/mil_act_1792.htm

Quote:
Originally Posted by BlueTrain
How many meanings can "well regulated" have anyway? And what modern meaning is different from "archaic meanings?" In any event, we do live in modern times, not the 18th century, although some seem to live in the 19th and early 20th century. Well regulated meant subject to civil authority.
No. "Well regulated" meant well trained and well coordinated. Just as a clock that keeps perfect time is said to be "well regulated."

Last edited by Aguila Blanca; July 30, 2012 at 06:03 PM.
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