An important thing to remember is that the discussion was about state militias being able to resist a federal army. Being in the militia was both a privilege and a responsibility - they had problems with people skimping on equipment & maintenance in addition to training – and that has to be understood in the context of the Whigs’ concerns about standing armies full of property-less men. They wanted militias tied to the local community, with their own property at stake, which is a rather different starting point than the late 20th century maximalist “no requirements, no restrictions” position.
Here are two books which cover the period discussion and the structure of the militia in early America. It’s a surprisingly under-covered part of our history.
The other thing we have to remember is how much more powerful modern weapons are. At the time this was written there was no concept of some lone wolf being able to mow down a crowd - they’d be limited to a first volley with the loaded, not especially precise or long-ranged, weapons they brought with them before getting subdued. The founders were thinking in terms of armies because period firearms were most effective in large coordinated groups.
Here are two books which cover the period discussion and the structure of the militia in early America. It’s a surprisingly under-covered part of our history.
https://www.amazon.com/Citizens-Arms-Militia-American-Societ...
https://global.oup.com/academic/product/a-well-regulated-mil...
The other thing we have to remember is how much more powerful modern weapons are. At the time this was written there was no concept of some lone wolf being able to mow down a crowd - they’d be limited to a first volley with the loaded, not especially precise or long-ranged, weapons they brought with them before getting subdued. The founders were thinking in terms of armies because period firearms were most effective in large coordinated groups.