Something I've never quite understood about the Second Amendment

[Gorp]

11. I have a different take on it. The use of armories is ancient.

Armories date back to before recorded history and have been used by archiologists and anthropologists to determine that various tribes were well organized and proficient in the art of war. They were quite common in civilizations from recorded history and the word was in common use in the 18th century to mean "a place to manufacture, repair, and store weaponry and armor".

In the US, now, they're generally used only for the storage of weapons for the National Guard or Reserves, although some have function halls like a fire station might (not sure about BINGO night - could lead to an explosive game).

The words "well-regulated militia" certainly apply to the National Guard and Reserves, but you can't separate that from "the right to keep and bear arms". That amendment is one single sentence. It didn't start out that way, but because of the objections of Virginia it got pared down to what it became.

My personal view is that the intent was to allow those who are "well-regulated" in a militia to access the weapons at the armory in times of need for national defense and keep them on their person in such situations. Somehow I doubt it was intended to mean stockpiling ammunition for a semi-automatic assault rifle with a 100-round magazine and keeping it in your house in times of peace. Even "Rambo" Stalone agrees that there's no valid use for such weapons unless you are engaged in combat.

And if anyone seriously thinks their wimpy little assault rifle is going to do any good against the US military's artillary and air power, I've got a lovely bridge and some nice "dry" property in Florida to sell them. Heck, I might even throw in a "lightly used" retired H1 with the deal. It's got GREAT gas mileage!