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"Read the amendment and you will see that it clearly states the militias' purpose "...being necessary to the security of a free STATE, ...." says nothing about protection FROM the state. I am sure such points mean nothing to you."

The state referred to in the 2nd is the nation as a whole. As an example, ever hear of nation states? But again, being NRA you should know that.

"Their practical function was almost entirely to protect the citizenry from Indian attacks."

Um, no mr. "NRA". The militias were created to provide a military force. They were the precurser to the National Guard. The militia was/is for defending the nation against enemies of the nation. I read an article about a former Soviet big wig that said that the reason Russia never tried to invade the US is not because of our military (they felt they could beat it), but because of all the guns that the citizens had. We as gun owners are the militia, we are the last line of defense of this country if it were to be invaded.

"Against a real army they were of limited use and those among the founders who had served in the Continental Army well understood this."

Not so, the Mel Gibson movie The Patriot was based on a real person from here in SC. The militia was what tipped the scales in our favor.

I read an article about a former Soviet big wig that said that the reason Russia never tried to invade the US is not because of our military (they felt they could beat it), but because of all the guns that the citizens had.

Same applies to the Japanese, who actually thought about it during WWII.

Then they realized that Cali. had a well-armed population AND the mountains.

Yeah, that was what I was refering to although the militia predated the nation state and the states. Militias were almost always used to defend the colonists and later communities against indian attack. There were a few instances when it was used with British regulars against the French. But it was only effective against untrained and undisciplined Indian tribes. Those were the only enemies of the nation/colony/state which it could achieve success on a regular basis.

How ridiculous is the idea that the Soviets could defeat our military and be beaten by a militia? Very ridiculous even absurd.

The Patriot aside, actual history shows that the British had their way in the South during the Revolution. South Carolina (including Charleston) and Georgia were under British control throughout the War until they decided to leave.

Militias were notorious for being undisciplined, unreliable and for running away when the battle started. See what Washington believed if you don't believe me. It is not hard to find out the truth about militias in that day and age.

But this is part and parcel of a romantic nostalgia which refuses to face facts about those days.