Who – What Is the Militia?

Well, according to Senator Harry Reid, following the recent standoff between militiamen and federal agents in Nevada, they are “domestic terrorists.”  If this was 1776, Harry’s comments would have been “seconded” by King George, as he most certainly felt the same towards our forefathers who had stood up to his soldiers at Lexington Green and the bridge at Concord, Massachusetts.

The Second Amendment reads “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.”   Those pushing for stricter gun controls argue that the “militia” is what we today would call our national or state guard.  However, that is not the meaning intended by our founders.  Herewith are a few quotes to substantiate that it is we, the people, who make up the militia:

“That the people have a right to keep and bear arms; that a well-regulated militia, composed of the body of the people trained to arms, is the proper, natural, and safe defense of a free state;” (16th proposed amendment by the Virginia Convention, June 27, 1788).

“The militia, when properly formed, are in fact the people themselves, … all men capable of bearing arms”  (Richard Henry Lee, aka the Anti-Federalist, The Federal Farmer, “Letters to the Republic”, 1788).

“I ask, sir, what is the militia? It is the whole people, except for a few public officials.”  (George Mason, June 16, 1788).

“Who are the militia? Are they not ourselves?”  (Tench Coxe, who was later to become recognized as the foremost expounder of the second amendment’s meaning and intent, 1788).

So the next question is, “What is a terrorist?”   A terrorist, simply put, is one who would impose his will upon others by causing them to fear for their life or property through use of an overpowering presence of force.  In the case of the Nevada standoff, which side fits the picture of a terrorist and which that of the liberty-defending militia?

No Harry, it is you and those like you in our government who are the domestic terrorists.  It is you who seek to impose your agenda on us against our will and limit our freedom, thereby destroying our liberties granted us by our Creator and guaranteed us by our Constitution.  Nevada should serve as a warning to you and those in Washington.  Learn the lesson of history of what happened to King George when he pushed freedom-loving Americans too far, or you will find us teaching it to you in a manner none of us wants to see taught.

-April 25, 2014