The meaning of amendment itself is plain enough that many who argue for certain interpretations seem to be doing so in bad faith. As for why it has rarely matte

The meaning of amendment itself is plain enough that many who argue for certain interpretations seem to be doing so in bad faith. As for why it has rarely mattered, at the very least until it was for-sure incorporated it had a much more limited importance at the national level since states could pretty much do absolutely whatever they felt like. In any case, the militia clause is clearly an explanation and/or justification for what follows. It's the "why" they decided to include the amendment, and could just as soon say "because bats have wings," for how much bearing it has on the other clauses. Though I do agree the whole thing has way too many commas.