Originally Posted by v8guy

Amendment II

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.

Hmm the right of the people. Now wouldn't these be the same people protected from unreasonable search and seizure by the 4th amendment.

Amendment IV

The right of the people to be secure in their persons, houses, papers, and effects, against unreasonable searches and seizures, shall not be violated, and no warrants shall issue, but upon probable cause, supported by oath or affirmation, and particularly describing the place to be searched, and the persons or things to be seized.

During that time period the "militia" consisted of every man capable of bearing arms, in other words every male between the ages of 14 and 45. These men could and did join up to form fighting forces. Basically like a volunteer fire department. This was a volunteer army of sorts, not one that could be used offensively, but one that could defend the country from tyranny. This included foreign invasions as well as internal threats to the liberty of the people. In other words, if the government got out of control (kind like it is now), the militia could rise up and revolt.

The only untenable argument here is that the right to keep and bear arms is some kind of privilige. You, my friend, are a victim of the liberal brainwashing process.