Justice Stevens Scolds NRA & Suggests: The five extra words that can fix the Second Amendment

[sofa king]

289. There is a problem here.

This has probably already been pointed out by now, but "the militia" consists of all American citizens capable of fighting, and all of us are currently "serving" in that emergency reserve capacity. This is why conscription is allowed, though not currently used.

Furthermore, in actual danger the definition of the militia has expanded even further. That's because once the militia is assembled and shipped out, the only people left to defend at home are the old men and boys, so they become the militia.

There have already been decisions which have folded women and minorities into the definition of "the militia," so few adults are excepted now and we're always one PR stunt away from a levee en masse which would include high school kids and retirement home dwellers.

So adding those five words won't change a thing. It won't change anything UNLESS we attack the definition of "well regulated" at the same time.

That can be done. For example, all I ever had to do to complete my "service" was fill out a postcard when I turned 18. My status with the selective service is not checked when I go to purchase a gun in my state. I've never been subjected to basic training, drill, maneuvers, or weapon handling and training courses. That's hardly a Department of Defense level of, uh, regulation.

So it is possible to begin curbing the proliferation of weapons, but only by forcing all citizens to take an active role in national defense--which, in theory, we are required to do as necessary. Perhaps it is necessary now.