[C210N]

the very idea of militias...

Isn't there just one militia here in the USA?

Article 1 Section 8 is singular: "... for calling forth the Militia..."

Article 2 Section 2 is singular: "... and of the Militia of the several States,..."

And, Amdt 2: "A well regulated Militia,..."

That each and every free able-bodied white male citizen of the respective States, resident therein, who is or shall be of age of eighteen years, and under the age of forty-five years (except as is herein after excepted) shall severally and respectively be enrolled in the militia, ... every citizen, so enrolled and notified, shall, within six months thereafter, provide himself with a good musket or firelock....

[Repeal The 17th]

Constitution of the United States
Article I Section 8
The Congress shall have power to provide for calling forth the militia to execute the laws of the union, suppress insurrections and repel invasions;

The Congress shall have power to provide for organizing, arming, and disciplining, the militia, and for governing such part of them as may be employed in the service of the United States, reserving to the states respectively, the appointment of the officers, and the authority of training the militia according to the discipline prescribed by Congress;

Article II Section 2
The President shall be commander in chief of the Army and Navy of the United States, and of the militia of the several states, when called into the actual service of the United States;

Amendment II
A well regulated Militia, being necessary to the security of a free State, the right of the people to keep and bear Arms, shall not be infringed.

[JimRed]

...every citizen, so enrolled and notified, shall, within six months thereafter, provide himself with a good musket or firelock...

Hey, wait; it is unconstitutional to require a citizen to buy something, isn't it (health insurance fiasco)?

[Don W]

Isn't there just one militia here in the USA?

Not at all. Every state has the right to raise one, or organize one.

Militia is a word that is both singular and plural with no change in spelling or pronunciation, like deer, moose, or aircraft. The use of an "s" to pluralize it is a product of ignorant journalists edjumicaytid in bublik skewlz.

By saying "The militia of the SEVERAL states" it is obvious that there is more than one militia and state involved, since each state has its own. Otherwise, it would read "*A* militia of (or from) the several..."

Good try, though.