"...The need to arm the populace...is no longer of much concern...?
I beg to differ. These are the most dangerous of times. Everyone needs a means of self defense. Instead of being discouraged, gun ownership should be mandatory.
I believe the complete phrase was, "... the need to arm the populace as a militia is no longer of much concern ..."
Given the fact that we now have a standing army, the reserves, and the National Guard, you still feel that we should organize, arm, and form a citizens militia? To fight ... who?
I mean, citizens should be armed, I agree. But the author was referring to a militia.