Are you saying it must? Why must that federal protection extend beyond those who would serve in the Militia? Isn't that protection up to each state?
The decision to protect all other rights in the Bill of Rights was made by each state. But you're saying the federal government must protect this one particular right for all persons?
I don't understand.
"How does the fact that a well-regulated militia is necessary to the security of a free state, reduce the scope of the inherent right protected in the Second Amendment?"
Because "the people" in the second amendment refers to those qualified for a Militia.
"It would be so easy to word an alternative Second Amendment to apply the protection ONLY to service in a militia"
It does that already. Actually, it would be so easy to word an alternative Second Amendment to apply the protection to a wider group. The Founders could have said "all individuals", "all persons", or "all citizens" in lieu of "the people".
Why do you keep repeating that when it some absurdity you made out of whole cloth? The Founders could have said "all individuals", "all persons", or "all citizens" in lieu of "the people".
"The people" are "all citizens". In every instance where it is found. Your ridiculous assertions don't change that.