"Second Amendment: 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."

Why does that not say only that "The right of the people to keep and bear arms shall not be infringed",
as you say it does?

* The army has to armed 'as well'.

Wouldn't that have been simpler if that's what was meant? Or does the additional verbiage have an intention and meaning?

What is the purpose of the words "well regulated Militia", and "security of a free State" unless they bear on an armed citizenry engaged in the defense of the country?

What does "well regulated" mean in this context?

* As you put it so bluntly in a previous post, it means 'well trained'. Hopefully, following the chain of command and giving allegiance of the state also pertain.

Could that be interpreted to be an attempt to keep these arms in the hands of trained, focussed people in the service of their country?

* No, they would have worded it as such. The people that wrote that document weren't stupid.

And out of the hands of folks with paranoid beliefs and poor impulse control who are over-compensating for poor self-esteem and a sense of powerlessness, that not being deemed a constructive purpose for guns?

* Yes, murderers and nutcases should not be allowed to have weapons.

Why fear ANY laws relative to gun control if those laws would be unconstitutional?

Arf

Bowser, I don't and you know what it all means. No, they didn't have automatic weapons during

Out of curiosity, how would you amend the second amendment? What exact wording would you use?

Marcia

The right of the citizens to keep and bear arms has justly been considered, as the palladium of the liberties of a republic; since it offers a strong moral check against the usurpation and arbitrary power of rulers; and will generally, even if these are successful in the first instance, enable the people to resist and triumph over them.
~~ Joseph Story, Commentaries on the Constitution of the United States; With a Preliminary Review of the Constitutional History of the Colonies and States before the Adoption of the Constitution [Boston, 1833].