The constitution did not emerge in a vacuum. It was the successor to the Articles of Confederation, Section 6 of which notes:
It spells out in much greater detail what the late 18th century concept of a well-regulated militia meant. That the Founding Fathers did not see fit to repeat the admonition is yet one more example of how they fucked things up.
Quote:No vessel of war shall be kept up in time of peace by any State, except such number only, as shall be deemed necessary by the United States in Congress assembled, for the defense of such State, or its trade; nor shall any body of forces be kept up by any State in time of peace, except such number only, as in the judgement of the United States in Congress assembled, shall be deemed requisite to garrison the forts necessary for the defense of such State; but every State shall always keep up a well-regulated and disciplined militia, sufficiently armed and accoutered, and shall provide and constantly have ready for use, in public stores, a due number of filed pieces and tents, and a proper quantity of arms, ammunition and camp equipage.
It spells out in much greater detail what the late 18th century concept of a well-regulated militia meant. That the Founding Fathers did not see fit to repeat the admonition is yet one more example of how they fucked things up.
