[Nakota]

At the time the Bill of Rights was drafted the term “arms” was generally understood to be small arms, carried on one’s person; i.e. pistols, long arms and edged weapons.

[spunkets]

"At the time the Bill of Rights was drafted the term “arms” was generally understood to be small arms, carried on one’s person; i.e. pistols, long arms and edged weapons."

No. It included powder, grenade, and canon.

[from occupied ga]

At the time the Bill of Rights was drafted the term “arms” was generally understood to be small arms, carried on one’s person;

Nope

Who are the militia? Are they not ourselves? Is it feared, then, that we shall turn our arms each man gainst his own bosom. Congress have no power to disarm the militia. Their swords, and every other terrible implement of the soldier, are the birthright of an American...[T]he unlimited power of the sword is not in the hands of either the federal or state governments, but, where I trust in God it will ever remain, in the hands of the people. ---Tenche Coxe, The Pennsylvania Gazette, Feb. 20, 1788.

Emphasis mine.

[GulfBreeze]

Yep. Read the whole thread to see where I’m coming from.