As a Montana native and resident, I have lived with guns my whole life. I grew up with a Ruger 30-06 and a 12 gauge Remington locked up in my garage and I've spent cold autumn mornings hunting deer and pheasant.
I understand and respect the decision of Montanans to enact loose regulations on guns, and I know that Hell will freeze over before many in the West would accept Federal legislation even of the scope of the Assault Weapon ban of the 1990's.
What I don't understand is the need of NRA members to force their will on urban dwellers, where majorities often favor stricter controls, and the blatant misreading of the Constitution that has allowed this to occur.
The Second Amendment is unique in its Dependent/Independent clause structure. The founders didn't only want "The right of the people to keep and bear Arms, shall not be infringed", they felt it necessary to include the qualifier "A well regulated Militia, being necessary to the security of a free State".
What was a Militia to the Drafters, and how has this been interpreted to allow a fundamental right to protect yourself with a firearm?
Below the fold you will find the four mentions of the Milita in the US Constitution.
Article 1, Section 8
[The Congress shall have Power] To provide for calling forth the Militia to execute the Laws of the Union, suppress Insurrections and repel Invasions
[The Congress shall have Power] To provide for organizing, arming, and disciplining, the Militia, and for governing such Part of them as may be employed in the Service of the United States, reserving to the States respectively, the Appointment of the Officers, and the Authority of training the Militia according to the discipline prescribed by Congress
Article 2, Section 2
The President shall be Commander in Chief of the Army and Navy of the United States, and of the Militia of the several States, when called into the actual Service of the United States; he may require the Opinion, in writing, of the principal Officer in each of the executive Departments, upon any Subject relating to the Duties of their respective Offices, and he shall have Power to grant Reprieves and Pardons for Offences against the United States, except in Cases of Impeachment.
Bill of Rights, 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.
I'm not a legal expert, and I am genuinely confused. How were these four provisions mangled to justify the Heller ruling?