[ScottinVA]

That POS is still sucking oxygen???

George Mason, who authored the 2nd Amendment, later stated that the reference to “militia” specifically means the populace, as a bulwark against the tyranny that leftists like Stevens advocate.

[Cboldt]

-- George Mason, who authored the 2nd Amendment, later stated that the reference to "militia" specifically means the populace ... --

That is still the definition. Popular usage of the term as synonymous with a government-organized body is flat wrong.

The statutory definition is an age-limited subset of "able bodied persons."

The militia of the United States consists of all able-bodied males at least 17 years of age and, except as provided in section 313 of title 32, under 45 years of age who are, or who have made a declaration of intention to become, citizens of the United States and of female citizens of the United States who are members of the National Guard.

10 USC 246

[outofsalt]

"I ask, sir, what is the militia? It is the whole people except for a few public officials." ~George Mason