When the second amendment was penned, people owned flintlocks.

[jmg257]

93. There was definitely the Southern States concern. As the Virginia debates clearly show.

Last edited Wed Jun 15, 2016, 09:46 AM - Edit history (1)

But the vital role the militias were to play in protecting the nation shouldn't be discounted either. One of the purposes of the new constitution was to improve the state militia situation mandated under the articles of Confederation.
And too many founders point to the notion of well-regulated militias for removing the pretext for (those "banes of liberty&quot standing armies to ignore.

Of course the militias had to well armed and well trained to be effective. No one wanted them to be disarmed - including Madison (as the paper you link clearly explains) when he wrote the amendment to limit the government to keep them from disarming the people/militias.


Washington was well aware of the deficiencies of militias, yet he knew of their importance per the Constitution. And though theories of "select' militias were considered, militias composed of the body of the people, providing their own arms, was made law.

"One of George Washington's first items to address, was the creation of a well regulated Militia. This work resulted in the Militia Acts of 1792. The first act passed provided for the authority of the president to call out the militias of several states "whenever the United States shall be invaded, or be in imminent danger of invasion from any foreign nation or Indian tribe." The second act provided for the organization of the state militias, requiring that all male citizens between the ages of 18 and 45 own a gun and be enrolled in the militia. In his first address to congress in January of 1790, George Washington urged congress to begin working on a Militia act. Congress did, and two years later, on May 2nd of 1792 the first act was passed. Here are Washington's words:

"A free people ought not only to be armed, but disciplined; to which end a uniform and well-digested plan is requisite; and their safety and interest require that they should promote such manufactories as tend to render them independent of others for essential, particularly military, supplies.
The proper establishment of the troops which may be deemed indispensable will be entitled to mature consideration. In the arrangements which may be made respecting it will be of importance to conciliate the comfortable support of the officers and soldiers with a due regard to economy.
..."

http://www.stateoftheunionhistory.com/2015/07/militia-act-of-1792-george-washington.html