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In reply to the discussion: Ted Cruz: New Gun Control Proposals 'Unconstitutional' [View all]pediatricmedic
(397 posts)and would be inducted formally into the US military. A militia really isn't defined at the federal level, which is why we have all this controversy.
The term militia is fairly irrelevant today because of the voluntary nature of such an organization. The well regulated portion is also pretty irrelevant as well because of the existing laws. You have to follow the law and not rob, rape, pillage, plunder, murder, etc. and in doing so you are "well regulated". Militia members also have to follow existing laws concerning firearms just like everybody else.
The second amendment boils down to whether we have a right to revolt against an oppressive government or not. What would the people here on DU do if the right wing got complete control of all three branches of government and imposed some really nutty stuff?
The nature of weapons has changed a lot and will continue to change as technology progresses. In 50 years I imagine we will laugh at the things we call assault weapons and weep at what we have created. Prices are really dropping on 3D printers and computer aided machining, making any ban hard to enforce in the future and an arsenal a few keystrokes away.