[rjsimmon]

the amendment granted citizens the right to bear arms as part of a "well-regulated militia",

What a load of crap. No right is granted by the Constitution, nor is the RKBA dependent upon being part of the militia.

[Olog-hai]

Precisely. Not only that, the right of the people thereof was recognized in context of the militia being, as Richard Henry Lee put it, “the people themselves”.

[RipSawyer]

This is why many of the founding fathers opposed the bill of rights because they said it would lead some to think that rights were granted by the constitution rather than by God. Their wisdom amazes me. The other thing that amazes me is that some people actualy don’t believe in the right to self defense. Taking away the right to keep and bear arms is taking away the right to self defense.

[JimRed]

The well regulated militia phrase only acknowledges the need for and desirability of a citizen militia. It does NOT limit bearing arms to members of that group. The second amendment does not even exclude freed felons or the insane. Even they have the right to self-defense.