[robertpaulsen]

"The "unorganized" militia is clearly defined by Congress, right down to a list of exemptions."

Yes it is. I've never argued that it wasn't.

"The 2nd Amendment ensures that those not formally part of the Army etc. (which the National Guard is) can also be armed & trained by themselves or sub-federal jurisdictions."

No. The second amendment CLEARLY states a "well regulated Militia". Article I, Section 8 in the U.S. Constitution refers to the Militia with officers appointed by the state.

A state may have an unorganized militia. They may have a private militia. They may even have a state-sponsored militia outside of the National Guard.

But unless it's well regulated with state-appointed officers, it does not get second amendment protection.

[Leatherneck_MT]

"The right of the PEOPLE to keep and bear arms, shall not be infringed"

I think you missed that part in your drug induced hallucinations.

[ctdonath2]

If that's what the Founding Fathers meant, than why the heck would they stick it in the Bill Of Rights? The BoR is a list of what the government cannot do - but citizens can do. Makes no sense to put "the government can authorize the arming & training of individuals, who cannot do that on their own" in a list of "the government is NOT ALLOWED to butt in on people's right to religion, opinions, publishing, home, speedy fair trials, silence, etc." The terms "keep and bear", "the people" and "shall not be infringed" don't make any sense being in the BoR if you're right.