[Smokin' Joe]

Allowing small militias that can potentially grow into large militias will be seen as a potential threat.

Well, that certainly backfired! Waco did more to cause the expansion of the militia movement than any other single incident in the last century.

BTW, the firearms do not have to be identical, only of the same caliber.

Why do you think the liberals are pushing gun bans, especially "assault weapon" bans.

The second amendment was never about hunting, but to safeguard the right of the people to own in sufficient numbers weapons for the purpose of securing their liberty from a government run amok with power. The idea was perfectly in concert with the thoughts of people who had just overthrown the British rule through the force of arms, starting with and often using their private arms in battle. Banning such arms is the opening gambit in a tyrant's game, and I trust no candidate who espouses such a prohibition.

[arthurus]

Starting with Waco the price of used military rifles began to rise (at least in Florida) and continued to rise with a sharp turn up in the summer and fall of 94. The rise collapsed the day after the 94 elections.

[Beckwith]

The second amendment was never about hunting

Of course it wasn't. The Americans had just run off the "legally constituted government" and figured Americans might have to do it again one day.