General Discussion
In reply to the discussion: "A WELL REGULATED MILITIA, being necessary to THE SECURITY of a free state..." Some facts for you [View all]jmg257
(11,996 posts)& continously support a huge standing army, or that the people & states would allow federalization of the militias.
Yet the people decided a long time ago that a well-regulated militia is NOT the best security; that a kick-ass army and navy would much better serve to secure our liberties from outside forces, and a federally controlled AND armed select militia was a better security for internal threats AND a great means to support the standing armies.
"To these {US standing army} 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 their common liberties, and united and conducted by governments possessing their affections and confidence".
Only when the armed citizenry were part of organized & well-regulated militia would they be able to oppose a federal army under the control of a tyrant, and that is simply no longer the case. Obviously the securities in the 2nd related to ensuring the existence of the constitutionally-recognized state militias, and the people's role in them, are obsolete.
Madison would very likely have to realize that an armed citizenry is no longer required for the state's security, and then decide how important it is they still be armed - atleast w/o substantial regulation.