[csmusaret]

I thought “well regulated” meant “well equipped” in the vernacular of the day.

[Beagle8U]

I agree. Regulated meant to make regular, common, in good working order, armed with what is in common use.

It is also clear that the right is a right of the people.

It doesn't really matter what is in the first part, all that matters is the right of the people to keep and bear arms. The first part could have said anything and it wouldn't change it.

“Peanut butter and jelly sandwiches, being necessary to feed Elvis, the right of the people to keep and bear arms shall not be infringed”

It might be a dumb reason for doing so, but it doesn't change the intent of the amendment.

[AndyTheBear]

I thought “well regulated” meant “well equipped” in the vernacular of the day.

Interesting. You inspired me to google the etymology of the word regulate to see if it used to mean something different. According to this page of an online Etymology dictionary:

regulate (v).
1630s, from Late Latin regulatus, pp. of regulare "to control by rule, direct" (5c.), from Latin regula "rule" (see regular). Related: Regulated; regulating.

While this does not tell us what the founders meant by it for certain, it seems that the original 1630 meaning had nothing to do with equipping but with controlling by direct rule....which is kind of what it still means today.

Still I am no expert on the language of this time, and am open to evidence that the founders may have meant well equipped--outside of opinions expressed by debates of the second amendment, where the interpretation may be colored by one's views.

[sauron]

I thought “well regulated” meant “well equipped” in the vernacular of the day.

Ever hear of "regulars" in the language of the time?

Or the words "Regular Army" in today's time?

Or "Irregulars"? Those who didn't drill, have military discipline, proper formations, morale, uniforms, or other accoutrements a proper, "regular" army would have?

Many units, even in the Civil War, were "irregular," and had varied uniforms, training, discipline, and weapons.

That's what they meant by "well-regulated"--they meant the difference between what Gen. George Washington inherited at the start, and what he and Baron Von Steuben and others crafted during the years of war.

We began the War for Independence with an irregular militia.

Then, they became a well-regulated militia. Some men left after the war to go back to farming.

By the end of the war, we had a proper Army.

The Founders were evidently saying that a militia should be well TRAINED (made regular), but the clear implication by culture, tradition, and language of the 2nd Amendment was that, similar to the Swiss, we have for every man, his own weapon, and so ownership is an indvidual right. (We all agree on that.)

Excellent post, btw!

[sauron]

I thought “well regulated” meant “well equipped” in the vernacular of the day.

Ever hear of "regulars" in the language of the time?

Or the words "Regular Army" in today's time?

Or "Irregulars"? Those who didn't drill, have military discipline, proper formations, morale, uniforms, or other accoutrements a proper, "regular" army would have?

Many units, even in the Civil War, were "irregular," and had varied uniforms, training, discipline, and weapons.

That's what they meant by "well-regulated"--they meant the difference between what Gen. George Washington inherited at the start, and what he and Baron Von Steuben and others crafted during the years of war.

We began the War for Independence with an irregular militia.

Then, they became a well-regulated militia. Some men left after the war to go back to farming.

By the end of the war, we had a proper Army.

The Founders were evidently saying that a militia should be well TRAINED (made regular), but the clear implication by culture, tradition, and language of the 2nd Amendment was that, similar to the Swiss, we have for every man, his own weapon, and so ownership is an indvidual right. (We all agree on that.)

Excellent post, btw!

[sauron]

I thought “well regulated” meant “well equipped” in the vernacular of the day.

Ever hear of "regulars" in the language of the time?

Or the words "Regular Army" in today's time?

Or "Irregulars"? Those who didn't drill, have military discipline, proper formations, morale, uniforms, or other accoutrements a proper, "regular" army would have?

Many units, even in the Civil War, were "irregular," and had varied uniforms, training, discipline, and weapons.

That's what they meant by "well-regulated"--they meant the difference between what Gen. George Washington inherited at the start, and what he and Baron Von Steuben and others crafted during the years of war.

We began the War for Independence with an irregular militia.

Then, they became a well-regulated militia. Some men left after the war to go back to farming.

By the end of the war, we had a proper Army.

The Founders were evidently saying that a militia should be well TRAINED (made regular), but the clear implication by culture, tradition, and language of the 2nd Amendment was that, similar to the Swiss, we have for every man, his own weapon, and so ownership is an indvidual right. (We all agree on that.)

Excellent post, btw!

[Gandalf_The_Gray]

I thought “well regulated” meant “well equipped” in the vernacular of the day.

For years "school house" clocks were "Regulator" clocks which I believe was the name of the manufacturer. I also think the regulator was used as a synonym for "smooth running" and "dependable". All of which point to the organization and discipline required of military troops.

Regards,
GtG