tcdrennen
Member
tyme,
"Well regulated" in the 2nd doesn't mean "controlled" or "subject to regulations/rules/laws" as it would today. A well-regulated militia is one that is trained in the use of common procedures, formations, organization, maneuvers, etc. I.e., all the members know how to function as a team if required, understanding what orders mean, the "manual of arms" for the various weapons (rifles, pistols, - and pikes in those days
) and crew served weapon teams would be practiced in operating their weapon and as batteries (for cannon - today it would include TOW, RPG, Stinger and light and heavy MG crews.) Today we'd also have logistics, transportation (in those days you MARCHED everywhere!) and communications systems training and practice (wagons, pack animals and fast horses are slow - and rare! today.)
Organization would be understood in advance, with elected or appointed officers and non-coms know by (and to) all members - and the duties and limits of each members authority in rank.
In other words, a well-regulated militia meets a regular intervals, demonstrates its readiness in equipment, training and organization to take up its responsibilities when needed. The Constitution gives the government the power AND DUTY of providing training and equipment (as needed - the individual was expected to provide his own personal gear and weapons, but additional ammo, crew served weapons and storage space for same could be provided by the government if required; perhaps as a loan or at cost.
You can see how the idea of a National Guard organization became attractive as the country became more urban and fewer people were able (or permitted!) to keep military type weapons on hand. The tendency to centralize control and structure was very attractive to the Progressives and New Dealers of the late 19th and early 20th centuries, even if they genuinely believed they were enhancing liberty rather than killing it - and many of them did so believe.
Few expected the unintended consequences of their good intentions (which may stand as the epitaph of the whole Government Is Good So More Government Is Better collectivist disaster under which we still labor.)
The various state and federal laws prohibiting "private" unit training and organization thus preclude the unorganized militia from being effective, even if we had military equivalent arms. The States AND the Feds are fundamentally afraid of the unorganized militia and want it to remain unorganized, leaderless and disarmed UNLESS they need a supply of cannon fodder to conscript.
When the government fears the people, it is freedom; when the people fear the government, it's tyranny.
"Government, like fire, is a faithful servant - but a fearful master" - to (mis?)quote George Washington, who knew full well the difference between an unregulated (poorly trained and armed) and a well regulated (well trained and armed) militia.
"Well regulated" in the 2nd doesn't mean "controlled" or "subject to regulations/rules/laws" as it would today. A well-regulated militia is one that is trained in the use of common procedures, formations, organization, maneuvers, etc. I.e., all the members know how to function as a team if required, understanding what orders mean, the "manual of arms" for the various weapons (rifles, pistols, - and pikes in those days
) and crew served weapon teams would be practiced in operating their weapon and as batteries (for cannon - today it would include TOW, RPG, Stinger and light and heavy MG crews.) Today we'd also have logistics, transportation (in those days you MARCHED everywhere!) and communications systems training and practice (wagons, pack animals and fast horses are slow - and rare! today.)Organization would be understood in advance, with elected or appointed officers and non-coms know by (and to) all members - and the duties and limits of each members authority in rank.
In other words, a well-regulated militia meets a regular intervals, demonstrates its readiness in equipment, training and organization to take up its responsibilities when needed. The Constitution gives the government the power AND DUTY of providing training and equipment (as needed - the individual was expected to provide his own personal gear and weapons, but additional ammo, crew served weapons and storage space for same could be provided by the government if required; perhaps as a loan or at cost.
You can see how the idea of a National Guard organization became attractive as the country became more urban and fewer people were able (or permitted!) to keep military type weapons on hand. The tendency to centralize control and structure was very attractive to the Progressives and New Dealers of the late 19th and early 20th centuries, even if they genuinely believed they were enhancing liberty rather than killing it - and many of them did so believe.
Few expected the unintended consequences of their good intentions (which may stand as the epitaph of the whole Government Is Good So More Government Is Better collectivist disaster under which we still labor.)
The various state and federal laws prohibiting "private" unit training and organization thus preclude the unorganized militia from being effective, even if we had military equivalent arms. The States AND the Feds are fundamentally afraid of the unorganized militia and want it to remain unorganized, leaderless and disarmed UNLESS they need a supply of cannon fodder to conscript.
When the government fears the people, it is freedom; when the people fear the government, it's tyranny.
"Government, like fire, is a faithful servant - but a fearful master" - to (mis?)quote George Washington, who knew full well the difference between an unregulated (poorly trained and armed) and a well regulated (well trained and armed) militia.
