[robertpaulsen]

"Do you claim that 25 percent of the entire population was in the militia?"

It was around one in six or 17% at the time who were eligible.

"Or was it intended for citizens outside of the militia?"

Was what intended for citizens outside of the militia? Second amendment protection? No, why would it be?

The Founders wanted to protect the formation of a state Militia from federal infringement. If Congress refused to arm the Militias, the Founders wanted to ensure that they could arm themselves.

That was the whole purpose of the second amendment. Individual RKBA was protected by each state.

[thackney]

"Do you claim that 25 percent of the entire population was in the militia?"

It was around one in six or 17% at the time who were eligible.

Then Madison was referring to more than the Militia when he spoke of number able to bear arms.

That was the whole purpose of the second amendment. Individual RKBA was protected by each state.

No. The Bill of Rights contains the phrase "right of the people" many times. The meaning does not change back and forth for who that represents. It is not a protection of state government. It was protection of the right of the people.

[thackney]

It was around one in six or 17% at the time who were eligible.

Do you have a source for this? I'm not doubting it; I just have not found a decent source for the size of the militia at the time. Thank you.