> The words are "well regulated" and they don't mean what you think they mean. In 18th century American English, the phrase "well regulated" means well equipped

> The words are "well regulated" and they don't mean what you think they mean. In 18th century American English, the phrase "well regulated" means well equipped. It's saying that people should have lots of guns! Um, no. You were doing alright until you get to this bit of mythology. "Well regulated" means then, as now, adhering to rules, regulation, and law as set by an authority. In many towns people could not keep weapons in their homes (that was true in some places up through the late 19th century). A quartermaster kept all the weapons safely stowed, and when a call to arms was issued, the (male) town folk would go retrieve their weapons. As time progressed they would be told what weapons they could get and the quartermaster would ensure they remained in good operational order. The law and custom of the age made it clear that firearms were not considered a weapon for self defense, but instead were a weapon for town and state defense. As I alluded to earlier, even in territories where firearms could be kept on person it was not infrequent that they would be surrendered when entering town. The 2nd Amendment was interpreted as local law will determine the regulation, as that was what was meant to be "well-regulated."