Reply #54: Not supported by any evidence.... don't need to go far.

[Statistical]

Same paper, different paragraph.

"The project of disciplining all the militia of the United States is as futile as it would be injurious, if it were capable of being carried into execution. A tolerable expertness in military movements is a business that requires time and practice. It is not a day, or even a week, that will suffice for the attainment of it. To oblige the great body of the yeomanry, and of the other classes of the citizens, to be under arms for the purpose of going through military exercises and evolutions, as often as might be necessary to acquire the degree of perfection which would entitle them to the character of a well-regulated militia, would be a real grievance to the people, and a serious public inconvenience and loss. It would form an annual deduction from the productive labor of the country, to an amount which, calculating upon the present numbers of the people, would not fall far short of the whole expense of the civil establishments of all the States. To attempt a thing which would abridge the mass of labor and industry to so considerable an extent, would be unwise: and the experiment, if made, could not succeed, because it would not long be endured. Little more can reasonably be aimed at, with respect to the people at large, than to have them properly armed and equipped; and in order to see that this be not neglected, it will be necessary to assemble them once or twice in the course of a year.

So lets substitute "well regulated" with the two possible meanings:

To oblige .. the citizens, to be under arms for the purpose of going through military exercises and evolutions, as often as might be necessary to acquire the degree of perfection which would entitle them to the character of a militia , would be a real grievance to the people

Hmm? Doesn't make much sense does it?

To oblige .. the citizens, to be under arms for the purpose of going through military exercises ..., as often as might be necessary to acquire the degree of perfection which would entitle them to the character of a militia, would be a real grievance to the people

Now that makes sense!

Come on you have to give me credit for using the cite YOU provided to show it just isn't what did you call it, "right wing militia sites" that use well regulated to mean well functioning.

The same cite! That has to be worth bonus points. :)

Of course it isn't fair that I have a copy of 'The founder's 2nd amendment'. Lots of good stuff in there.