General Discussion
In reply to the discussion: To my way of thinking, there are VERY few examples of "responsible" gun owners. [View all]citood
(550 posts)In the 18th and 19th Century, the term 'regulated' had a slightly different meaning.
It meant well functioning, or calibrated correctly. From The Oxford English Dictionary:
1812: "The equation of time ... is the adjustment of the difference of time as shown by a well-regulated clock and a true sun dial."
1709: "If a liberal Education has formed in us well-regulated Appetites and worthy Inclinations."
1848: "A remissness for which I am sure every well-regulated person will blame the Mayor."
That meaning still has some relevance today - for example a fuel pressure regulator.
So, a 'well regulated militia' would be the synonym to 'high speed, low drag militia' today.
This is why legal arguments over the 2nd amendment tend to center around what a militia is, and whether or not we still have a militia...its been determined that any civil right can be 'reasonably regulated' in other cases (fire in crowded theater, etc), but its not like the 2nd amendment has its own unique regulation clause (by the modern meaning) built in.