Free Republic
Browse · Search
Bloggers & Personal
Topics · Post Article

To: Bringbackthedraft
These words have always bothered me, “regulated Militia”...

The 2nd Amendment says "well regulated Militia...". "well regulated" means properly functioning, as in a "well regulated" clock, a usage from this same period.

It is a semantic fallacy to impose current usage on this late 18th century term. We must go back to that period to understand the force of its meaning.

Further, the 2nd amendment is a contraint on Federal power, not an authorization to "regulate" the Militia. COTUS Article I, Section 8, Para 16 dictates what powers the Federal government has over the Militia.

13 posted on 02/27/2017 9:50:23 AM PST by nonsporting
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 4 | View Replies ]


To: nonsporting

“the 2nd amendment is a contraint on Federal power”

The 2nd Amendment, like the 4th Amendment, is a constraint on federal and state (and local) governmental power.


23 posted on 02/27/2017 10:19:30 AM PST by Brian Griffin
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 13 | View Replies ]

Free Republic
Browse · Search
Bloggers & Personal
Topics · Post Article


FreeRepublic, LLC, PO BOX 9771, FRESNO, CA 93794
FreeRepublic.com is powered by software copyright 2000-2008 John Robinson