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The 50 states are continually trying to change the understanding of the 2nd amendments original definition of who "THE PEOPLE" really are and the States try to redefine the original meanings by saying "The People" are a "collective" which would translate to; only the (national guard being the modern day militia) and individuals can't keep and bear arms. This is WRONG the founding fathers were specific that the right to keep and bear arms is a very important INDIVIDUAL right. Important as well is the 14th amendment, which protects people from infringement upon the bill of rights by STATE legislation!! Now, going back to the original intentions of the authors is the key. If you look at the author James Madison and also the common laws before the final draft of the constitution you find the true definitions of their words. For example; The first few drafts of the BILL of Rights help to clarify the ideas!

One of the first accepted definitions of militia was used by the English under Elizabeth and used to mean "A universally armed people ready to stand in defense of their nation" (page 49) or also used during the Spanish Armada of around 1541 by the Tudor Monarchs and meaning "the entire of the armed citizenry" (page 2) This history makes it more reasonable that the founding fathers used the word militia and definitely "the people" is referring to the citizens and individuals. Our militia is defined in US CODE Title 10 section 311 (any male age 17 to 45 who is able-bodied and capable of bearing arms) and also the 2 types of militia in US code Title 32 section 313 which consisted of both the organized militia (today the National Guard and then the "enrolled" militia) and the unorganized militia (common citizens). INDIVIDUALS! This meant that the unorganized militia was supposed to show up with their own personally purchased firearms meaning they had to have the right to keep and bear them. Another idea to consider is that the founding fathers were in some respects products of common law and even some Indian law, which required all individuals to be armed with bows or with firearms and ammunition. There were even inspections once a month and training and sport for gaining the proficiency and effectiveness of the military use. (you would be required to have firearms back then!) If you couldn't afford it they provided them.

Finally we determine that "THE PEOPLE" is without a doubt the individual citizens. Also The Militia is both the National Guard and the Unorganized militia or the citizens as individuals. Lets address "conscientious objector" this is the "opt out" for persons who religiously or otherwise feel compelled to refuse to Keep and Bear Arms. Since proficient use was required under common law the well-regulated militia means that keeping and bearing arms required Para-military activity or training for proper skills this is also protected by the 2nd amendment. Unfortunately Federal courts and STATES attack these fundamental principles and supreme laws constantly. But we the people have to keep on it!!

The reason the Second Amendment is such a short amendment in terms of wording is because the founding fathers such Genius as Thomas Jefferson or Alexander Hamilton and of course the author of the Bill of Rights himself James Madison. They wanted the Second Amendment to be so simple no one could misunderstand the Second Amendment.

Moving along or back anyway it's important to understand that before the 1787 constitution. We had the "articles of confederation" which in it of itself was not sufficient. So one of the first drafts of the BILL OF RIGHTS specifically the Second Amendment to the BILL OF RIGHTS read "The right of the people to keep and bear arms shall not be infringed; a well-armed and well-regulated militia being the best security of a free country; but no person religiously scrupulous of bearing arms shall be compelled to render military service" this makes it more clear it's an individual right!! Keep in mind the Right to keep and bear arms was so unanimously and loved and coveted and agreed upon by all the colonial states that it was if not the first but at least the second amendment. Meant to really be linked to the first. But it's importance was somewhat expressed by giving it's own important separate place.




Going further is the gain of these profound rights by BLACK persons (formerly they were slaves) so these persons were not covered by the constitution until later the addition of the 13th Amendment and the civil rights act of 1866. As a good reminder The BILL OF Rights protects people from the state legislation by the 14th amendment because the 14th Amendment says. STATES can't infringe upon the rights laid out by the constitutions bill of rights by using legislation.