[FreedomPoster]

>>When the Constitution was written, “well regulated” meant “well provisioned.”

Actually, the explanation below rings most true to me. From my FR profile page:

The term “regulated” applied to clocks means “accurate in keeping time”. It made sense, particularly in 18th Century armies, to have to pay a lot of attention to how well soldiers could operate in massed formations. Soldiers had to be drilled to load, aim, and fire as one unit. You do NOT want the rifle next to you to be firing (and emitting a shower of sparks) while you are pouring gunpowder into your musket. Everybody had to do every step together with no screwups.

[Gargantua]

That's truly wonderful, but that doesn't change the FACT that, when the Constitution was written, “well regulated” meant “well provisioned.”

The Constitution really says, "The presence of a well-stocked militia being necessary to guarantee a free and prosperous people, the right of the people to keep and carry weapons shall not be infringed."

As long as it's a law abiding citizen, he can have chain-guns, rocket-propelled grenades, heat-seeking missiles, suitcase nukes, Abrahms Tanks, whatever he wants to own, maintain and use to stay safe and free.

Period. That's what the Constitution says.

8^D

[Bellows]

"The term “regulated” applied to clocks means “accurate in keeping time”. It made sense, particularly in 18th Century armies, to have to pay a lot of attention to how well soldiers could operate in massed formations."

This would be a fine interpretation if the 2A were talking about the need for regular practice in mass formations. But it doesn't, and your explanation bears no relationship to the other language of the 2A. The need for well coordinated mass formations being being necessary to the security of a free State, the right of the people to keep and bear arms shall not be infringed? This rings "most true" to you? Really?