| The founders were alive and in the legislature in 1792 when the Militia Act was passed. They knew what was in the Constitution. Specifically Article 1 Section 8 and I quote (in part). |
| "To provide for organizing, arming, and disciplining, the Militia, and for governing such Part of them as may be employed in the Service of the United States, reserving to the States respectively, the Appointment of the Officers, and the Authority of training the Militia according to the discipline prescribed by Congress;" |
| The Militia Act of 1792 is completely consistent with that objective. Again I quote in part... |
| " That each and every free able-bodied white male citizen of the respective States, resident therein, who is or shall be of age of eighteen years, and under the age of forty-five years (except as is herein after excepted) shall severally and respectively be enrolled in the militia, by the Captain or Commanding Officer of the company, within whose bounds such citizen shall reside, and that within twelve months after the passing of this Act. And it shall at all time hereafter be the duty of every such Captain or Commanding Officer of a company, to enroll every such citizen as aforesaid, and also those who shall, from time to time, arrive at the age of 18 years, or being at the age of 18 years, and under the age of 45 years (except as before excepted) shall come to reside within his bounds; and shall without delay notify such citizen of the said enrollment, by the proper non-commissioned Officer of the company, by whom such notice may be proved. That every citizen, so enrolled and notified, shall, within six months thereafter, provide himself with a good musket or firelock, a sufficient bayonet and belt, two spare flints, and a knapsack, a pouch, with a box therein, to contain not less than twenty four cartridges, suited to the bore of his musket or firelock, each cartridge to contain a proper quantity of powder and ball; or with a good rifle, knapsack, shot-pouch, and powder-horn, twenty balls suited to the bore of his rifle, and a quarter of a pound of powder; and shall appear so armed, accoutred and provided, when called out to exercise or into service" |
| http://www.constitution.org/mil/mil_act_1792.htm |
enrollment.
That means those who signed up.
This is not a requirement to purchase. This is a requirement to procure. Most of us would just go out and buy, because we like to buy shiny new tools, but some would barter, some would make it themselves, some would borrow.
A fine difference, but a difference nonetheless.
Where are you reading that it is constitutional to require a member of the militia to buy his own weaponry. I've missed it.