[cbkaty]

Without that Militia phrase, we would never have these Court fights.

I agree.....the logic behind the Amendment is a militia can't exist without arms....one regulates the militia but not the arms....

[wastedyears]

They meant well-regulated in that the militiamen would be well-trained. I don't think it meant regulated by the federal government. That's why they have a standing military.

[ctdonath2]

...and a militia is by definition “of the people”, and not a select group chosen by the government.

[rickomatic]

“one regulates the militia but not the arms....”

And if one looks at “regulated” in the context of the time the 2nd Ammendment was written, one sees that the definition as explained by the founding fathers was the same as a “well regulated” timepiece. That is, “regulated” does NOT mean “restricted”, as is sometimes claimed by our detractors, but rather “kept in good working order or tuned”.
I will see if I can find the founding fathers citations on this. I have read it before, but don’t have time (at work right now) to look it up. If anyone can help....have at it.