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[sarisataka]

181. You are correct

Last edited Sun Oct 26, 2014, 04:29 PM - Edit history (1)

in the the parenthesized words are an addition. It seems a small quibble as it does not change the overall meaning.
If you note what I listed in post 177, several states had individual RKBA contemporary with or preceding the Constitution. Several more had added it before 1824.

Madison's context began with standing armies.

The highest number to which, according to the best computation, a standing army can be carried in any country, does not exceed one hundredth part of the whole number of souls; or one twenty-fifth part of the number able to bear arms. This proportion would not yield, in the United States, an army of more than twenty-five or thirty thousand men. To these would be opposed a militia amounting to near half a million of citizens with arms in their hands, officered by men chosen from among themselves, fighting for the common liberties and united and conducted by governments possessing their affections and confidence. It may well be doubted whether a militia...

Now there is no specific reference to individual firearms ownership but t is difficult to conceive the newly born United States being able to maintain a stock of a half million arms to arm the militia.

In checking the quotes I found one by John Adams that seems appropriate

To suppose arms in the hands of citizens, to be used at individual discretion, except in private self-defense, or by partial orders of towns, countries or districts of a state, is to demolish every constitution, and lay the laws prostrate, so that liberty can be enjoyed by no man; it is a dissolution of the government. The fundamental law of the militia is, that it be created, directed and commanded by the laws, and ever for the support of the laws.
A Defence of the Constitutions of the United States 3:475 (1787-1788).

He is summarizing the current standing of the Second Amendment- an individual right to own arms, for reasons to include self-defense, but reasonably limited for the common good.

P.S. Congratulations on reviving the Activism group. In one day you more than doubled the 30 day post total. (no snark)

P.P.S. Good luck handling that invasion of gunnuts. It must be rough having one poster dare to question THE TRUTH. (Yeah, this one is snark)