[robertpaulsen]

"the composition of the militia has nothing whatsoever to do with the amendment--which addresses "the people" in its independent clause"

I think it does.

Now, if it said, "A well-armed populace, being necessary to the security of a free State ...", then I could agree with you. But it doesn't. The Founders believed that a well regulated Militia was necessary to the security of a free state, and that's what they wanted to protect. Not simply a gaggle of citizens with guns.

[GregoryFul]

A well informed public, being necessary to the security of a free state, the right of the people to free exchange of ideas shall not be infringed.

Anyway, the Bill of Rights did not restrict the people in their rights, it specifically stated what the government could not do. The second amendment was stated very forcibly - the government shall not infringe on the right of the people to bear arms, and its meaning since has been eroded by idiots who would not understand and who would welcome tyranny vs. individual sovereignty - as was the reverberant theme of the revolution.

[tacticalogic]

Not simply a gaggle of citizens with guns.

You work for the government, don't you?

[El Gato]

The Founders believed that a well regulated Militia was necessary to the security of a free state, and that's what they wanted to protect. Not simply a gaggle of citizens with guns.

If they'd meant the "right of the militia" they'd have said that. They instead said "right of the people".

[therut]

YOU AGAIN!!!! Yes the founders stated “A well regulated Militia being necessary to the security of a free state” You are right they did say a militia was necessary. They though it important. But the right to keep and bear arms is given to the people. Why you ask. Well to make a well regulated militia possible even if the Federal Government wanted to disarm the militia which was their fear. So in the great understanding of human nature being as it is they gave the right to keep and bear arms to the people not the militia and not the STATE and not the Federal .gov. Simply to the people where FREEDOM and LIBERTY can be protected aganist TYRANNY. Simple.