Even if this was the case--and it's not, as I illustrated above how non-whites were granted the franchise in a number of instances--that doesn't change the definition of "the people." The states were (and are still, to a lesser extent) free to restrict the ability of the People to engage in certain activities.
Today, of course, "the people" include women and blacks. But still not everyone, not even every citizen.
The problem with your argument is that you don't believe words have objective meanings. They do. Only by equivocating can you reach your conclusion. This is a tactic employed by a lot of folks, not the least of which include Supreme Court justices.
I'm not the biggest fan of Justice Black, but he was dead on when he repeated, over and over, that "no law means no law." Likewise, "the People" means "the People." States are free to restrict certain groups of the People from certain activities, but that doesn't change the meaning of the phrase "the People."
To them I ask, then why did the Founders only protect that right for a small percentage of the population
As I've stated repeatedly, I reject your premise. I'm not interested in debating your conclusion when your premise is invalid. The People in the Second Amendment is everyone. States, to the extent that their own constitutions don't protect the right to bear arms, were free to restrict the ability of the People to bear arms, however, including limiting the ability of certain groups to bear arms--blacks, women, whatever. Some of this has been changed by the 13th and 14th amendments, but that's neither here nor there for this discussion.
So you're saying the term "the people" is generic and means different things in different parts of the U.S. Constitution? In the second amendment it means "all persons". Well, that would include slaves, the Indians, the insane, foreigners, etc.
"The problem with your argument is that you don't believe words have objective meanings."
I am giving it an objective meaning -- the enfranchised body politic. Period.
YOU are the one asking for flexibility.
"The People in the Second Amendment is everyone. States, to the extent that their own constitutions don't protect the right to bear arms, were free to restrict the ability of the People to bear arms"
The second amendment protects everyone, but the states were free to narrow down that list. An ACLU wet dream, you are.