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The definition of "militia" has been explicitly written into US law since the 18th century, you don't need to guess at its meaning. It essentially includes ever
by jandrewrogers 1y ago
The definition of "militia" has been explicitly written into US law since the 18th century, you don't need to guess at its meaning. It essentially includes every able-bodied male and explicitly recognizes that this militia exists separate from any "organized" militia. Being part of the militia is not an exclusive club, a large percentage of all Americans are a member as a matter of law.
That said, I would argue that the definition should be updated to include women as well.
- mapontosevenths 1y agoYou will note that the 18th century is quite some time AFTER the constitution was drafted.
- zamadatix 1y agoI often get the indexing confused myself - the 18th century is the 1700s.
- mapontosevenths 1y agoYou are right of course. Thanks for explaining rather than just downvoting.
- mapontosevenths 1y agoActually, lets let James Madison (who wrote the amendment) explain what a militia is: Madison said "the advantage of being armed," together with "the existence of subordinate governments, to which the people are attached, and by which the militia officers are appointed, forms a barrier against the enterprises of ambition, more insurmountable than any which a simple government of any form can admit of." Source: https://constitution.congress.gov/browse/essay/amdt2-2/ALDE_00013262/ https://constitution.congress.gov/browse/essay/amdt2-2/ALDE_...