Great Seal > Constitution > Bill of Rights
What the Founders Meant by a "Well Regulated Militia"
"A well regulated Militia, being necessary to the security of a free State, the right of the people to keep and bear Arms, shall not be infringed."
The precedent for the language used in the Second Amendment is the first Continental Congress's resolution of March 23, 1775 that was introduced by Patrick Henry:
"A well regulated militia, composed of gentlemen and yeomen, is the natural strength and only security of a free government; that such a militia in this colony would forever render it unnecessary for the mother country to keep among us, for the purpose of our defence, any standing army of mercenary forces, always subversive of the quiet, and dangerous to the liberties, of the people, and would obviate the pretext of taxing us for their support."
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In George Washington's Words "The distinction between a well regulated Army, and a Mob, is the good order and discipline of the first, and the licentious and disorderly behaviour of the latter." – General Washington to Israel Putnam, August 25, 1776 "The irregular and disjointed State of the Militia of this Province, makes it necessary for me to inform you... your first object should be a well regulated Militia Law." – General Washington to William Livingston, January 24, 1777 "For want of proper Laws in the Southern Governments, their Militia were never well regulated; and since the late Troubles, in which the Old Governments have been unhinged, and new ones not yet firmly established, the people have adopted a mode of thinking and Acting for themselves." – General Washington to Jonathan Trumbull, March 6, 1777 "The Citizens of America (with a few legal and official exceptions) from 18 to 50 Years of Age should be borne on the Militia Rolls, provided with uniform Arms, and so far accustomed to the use of them, that the Total strength of the Country might be called forth at a Short Notice on any very interesting Emergency, for these purposes they ought to be duly organized into Commands of the same formation... By keeping up in Peace 'a well regulated, and disciplined Militia,' we shall take the fairest and best method to preserve, for a long time to come, the happiness, dignity and Independence of our Country." – General Washington, Peace Settlement, May 1, 1783 "The devising and establishing of a well regulated militia, would be a genuine source of legislative honor... carrying to its full energy the power of organizing, arming, and disciplining the militia; and thus providing, in the language of the constitution, for calling them forth to execute the laws of the union, suppress insurrections, and repel invasions." – President Washington's Address to Congress, November 19, 1794 |
Opinion
It's clear that a "well regulated militia" refers to an organized military that is "provided with uniform arms" by the legislature. It does not refer to individual citizens with guns "acting for themselves."
NOTE: In the 18th-century, "to bear arms" not only meant to carry firearms,
it also meant to participate in a military unit (militia).
Thus "well regulated" means ordered and disciplined. Not disorderly, irregular, or disjointed – terms that characterize the weakly regulated situation in America that has led to the proliferation of firearms.
Second Amendment is really about Security.
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