So. What does " well regulated" really mean ?

[son of the revolution]

http://www.thateverymanbearmed.com/2...in-second.html

According to Anti Gunners, the term " well regulated " in the text of the Second Amendment means literally, "lots of regulation " aka more laws. As is par for the course with people of this mindset, that definition is far from accurate and displays a dismal understanding of history, and word etymology. Whats so sad is that; as with just about every facet of the firearms debate, the truth is readily available and easy enough to find for anyone that cares about intellectual honesty.


Before, during and for nearly 150 years after the Founding Fathers put quill to parchment to enshrine the Bill of Rights, the common use definition for the term "well regulated " meant " to function normally, or in proper working order ". Most often used in reference to clocks and other timepieces to refer to their accuracy or to describe that they were in good working order. This is easily verified by Websters Dictionaries of the time period and for a significant period after. Interestingly, Noah Webster, the author who first devised the American Dictionary was the cousin of noted Statesman and preeminent Constitutional Scholar Daniel Webster.


Additionally,The Random House College Dictionary (1980) gives four definitions for the word "regulate," which were all in use during the Colonial period they are:

1) To control or direct by a rule, principle, method, etc. 2) To adjust to some standard or requirement as for amount, degree, etc.
3) To adjust so as to ensure accuracy of operation.
4) To put in good order.


Several notable Professors of English Language and History have also concluded that the term "well regulated " as known and in common usage at the time did NOT mean " lots of laws ". I have several of their papers saved, but I'll have to find them and add them to this post at a later date.

Until the recent Supreme Court decisions in Heller and McDonald,( in a future post I'll show how the Supreme Court has a nearly 200 year history of actually affirming the Second Amendment as an individual right either in a direct ruling or referred to as an example in an unrelated case) the Anti's would routinely fall back on claiming that the " militia " portion of " well regulated militia " referred to the National Guard, essentially arguing that the when the Founders wrote the Bill of Rights, they were addressing in the Second Amendment; the needs of an organization that wasn't even thought of or founded until an act of Congress in 1903 !

The Militia Act

It is this type of ingrained ignorance, arrogant misrepresentation and outright malfeasance that makes the collective Anti Gun groups and their supporters so worthy of derision, and so unworthy of having any shred of credibility, being respected, or taken seriously by anyone with more then a handful of functioning brain cells and the ability to think critically. When and if the Anti Gun side ever decides to embrace something resembling honor, integrity and most importantly, honesty in arguing their position and viewpoint then maybe an earnest and productive discussion about how to best achieve what everyone wants, a decrease in the criminal use of firearms, while protecting and respecting the rights of law abiding citizens can come about. Until that time, they deserve every bit of criticism and mockery they reap. And they have no one but themselves to blame for it.

[mpan72]

Well put. When I read ''well regulated" in context of the second ammendment I read it as well trained.

[ProShooter]

I was always taught that "well regulated" meant "trained to arms".

[streaker69]

I always thought it meant 120vac to 12vdc with very little ripple.

[son of the revolution]

I was always taught that "well regulated" meant "trained to arms".

Yes, that is also an acceptable definition. I didnt cover every single possible definition for the sake of brevity. Figuring those that were interested enough could do more research on their own. Plus I also wanted to focus the write up on the fact that numerous definitions had nothing to do with firearms at all.

[legendarylorot]

"Regulated", root "regular". "Regular", meaning without inconsistencies.

Therefore, a decrypted message can be:

Because a consistent militia is necessary for keeping a state free from tyranny, the people have the right to keep and bear arms. The assumption is that this armed populace will ensure the government stays in line.

Rep, SoTR. Well said.

[The_War_Wagon]

It means, every time I hear about the Brady Bunch, or see Shithead Schumer on the evening news, I have a bowel movement.

Ergo, I AM "well-regulated."

[Gun]

I always thought it meant 120vac to 12vdc with very little ripple.

Believe that has to do with rectilinear.

[TaePo]

The answer can be found in the Federalist (and possibly anti-Federalist) papers.

IIRC, the concept was about familiarity with arms. The problem recognized, however, it was difficult to get everyone together at the same time to practice the next step, maneuvers. It takes a lot of discipline and practice to move formations on the battlefield. Everyone must know and understand the commands and how the operations work (including the manual of arms and firing of your weapon). Officers need the practice to judge how much room is needed and what effect certain commands have on a unit.

Samples:
order arms
port arms
right shoulder arms, left shoulder arms
15 count manual of arms move
attention
at-ease
Stand at - ease
left face, right face, about face
forward march
oblique right march, oblique left march
left flank march, right flank march
column left march, column right march
counter column march
quick time march
double time march
(and I forget the one to get people out of sync to cross bridges due to harmonics causing standing waves that could upset some bridges)...wait, I think it is route step march. yay, memory.

There are probably many others such as charge, mount bayonets and the like.

Anyone who saw military service knows how 'cool' it is when your platoon or company can work as a unit both marching and in other activities. Then to see it at company and battalion level is something else. That is well-regulated.

ETA= There is also a psychological effect of seeing a large massed force being effectively maneuvered into battle position in perfect formation. It shows professionalism and lack of fear. It would be like facing a bunch of robots that are going to overrun you.

[son of the revolution]

Tae Po hit it right on the head and in much greater detail with regards to the "war fighting " definition. It should be obvious by now why I didnt get into this level of detail in the blog post. Still serves to further show that "well regulated " NEVER meant lots of regulations and laws.