The state militias were not under federal control. An act of Congress could call forth the Militia "to execute the Laws of the Union, suppress Insurrections, and repel invasions" only.
Other than that, they were under state control.
I was pointing out that an armed, unorganized militia is always available, even when the organized militia is unavailable, for whatever reason. How is that a "lame answer"? Was this response intended to my posting #397?
I pointed out previously how crucial it was to the Korean shopkeepers during the L.A. riots to have their rifles to protect their own security. The state-supplied forces didn't even have ammo for their guns initially. I guess they intended to establish order with their trusty, but now sometimes outlawed, bayonets.