Previously, I explained the actual meaning of well-regulated in the Second Amendment. Gun control activists try to use a twisted contemporary meaning, which is incorrect. They next try to limit arms to a militia. At the same time, they demonize the militia as something sinister.
What Does a Well-Regulated Militia Mean?
As simply as I can explain, “militia” basically means a smaller, lesser, loosely organized, or ad hoc military force. Militias have played crucial roles in American history. In the Battle of New Orleans, War of 1812, the militia played a decisive role in our victory over the British forces.
In post-WWII Athens, GA, citizens armed up, formed up, and put a stop to a corrupt sheriff and politician who attempted to steal the election by confiscating all the ballot boxes. More recently, we saw “militia” deployed in the Bundy Ranch standoff against the Bureau of Land Management (BLM), which was running full tyranny over them. The ranchers won without firing a shot, and despite the government’s efforts to prosecute as many as possible, the participants were acquitted.
In my book, INFRINGED: Assaults on Our Natural and Constitutional Rights, I delve deeply into the history and meaning of militia, far more than I can in this article. In essence, “militia” is every citizen capable of and willing to bear arms to support the regular army to repel an invasion or, in the case of tyranny, to resist the government.
We find this meaning in the quotes and writings of great men such as Tench Coxe, who said, “Who are the militia? Are they not ourselves? Is it feared, then, that we shall turn our arms each man against his own bosom. Congress have no power to disarm the militia. Their swords, and every other terrible implement of the soldier, are the birthright of an American… The unlimited power of the sword is not in the hands of either the federal or state governments, but where I trust in God, it will ever remain in the hands of the people.”
What Did the Founding Fathers Say About the Militia?
Senator Richard Henry Lee (First Congress) said, “A militia, when properly formed, are in fact the people themselves…and include all men (today, of course, we would include women) capable of bearing arms.”
George Mason similarly said, “I ask who are the militia? They consist now of the whole people, except a few public officers.”
We, the People
As you can plainly see, a militia is literally “we the people.” Many more writings bear this out. Of course, all governments, including our own, fear armed civilians and take measures to ensure government dominion and hegemony. Although space doesn’t allow, a review of the various Militia Acts outlines the government’s takeover of state militias, ultimately resulting in the National Guard.
Check your state laws. Parallel to this is that many, if not all, states have specific laws banning paramilitary training. Would that include communications or TACMED?
You get the point. The fact remains: militia is not an evil thing. It is not sinister. It means we, the people being armed, are crucial to preserving our freedoms!