A 2-1 panel faulted a provision of Mississippi’s state constitution that mandates lifetime disenfranchisement for people convicted of crimes including murder, rape and theft.
“Militia” is a frequently misunderstood concept. We know from contemporary writings of the founding fathers that they specifically intended for every American to be considered a militiaman. You definitely want to look up the federal definition. 10 USC 246. That is only the legislated definition and not the constitutional meaning, but it is informative nonetheless.
10 USC 246 is a law enacted in accordance with Article I Section 8 parts 15 and 16 of the constitution. It is a provision for calling forth the militia. Under 10 USC 246, Congress provides for the specific people they want to be ready to called forth, by categorizing them into two “classes”. Every able-bodied male citizen, 17-45 years of age, and every male who intends to become a citizen, and every member of the national guard, (regardless of age or sex). 10 USC 246 underpins the regulation that all young men register for the draft. Selective Service registration is one of the few “regulations” that Congress has deemed fit to impose on the “Unorganized” class of the militia. The “Organized” class is subject to a number of additional regulations.
Again, though, this is the legislative definition, not the constitutional. Congress is not limited to the 17-45 age range, or men only, or even citizens. Congress could change the law to ages 16-60, or include women as well as men, or specify all persons subject to American law rather than just American citizens. Hell, they could even swap the “able bodies” requirement for “sound mind”: amputees and paraplegic individuals could still be called forth to control drones, for example.
Constitutionally, all of those additional people outside of the provisions of 10 USC 246 are already in the militia. Congress hasn’t deemed it necessary or proper to impose additional regulations on this group. Congress has effectively deemed them sufficiently “well regulated” with no formal regulation at all.
When we understand just what “militia” actually means, there is no real debate on the meaning of the Second Amendment. We can debate on what regulations are necessary and proper for Congress to impose on the general public in their capacity as militia, but infringement on the right to keep and bear arms is specifically excluded.
That’s a lot of words to try to claim that by stating “well-regulated militia” what they actually meant was every able-bodied man. If that were the case, it is much more straight forward to specify that.they had no issue making specific claims in other amendments. Doesn’t seem like those are comparable when you actually look at it beyond right wing talking points and perspectives written and lobbied by the firearms industry to sell as many products as possible.
what they actually meant was every able-bodied man
No. Constitutionally, “militia” is not limited to either “able bodies” or “men”. Those distinctions arise from a provision Congress has made regarding the militia: 10 USC 246. They are not present in the Constitution itself, nor in contemporaneous writings and discussions.
If that were the case, it is much more straight forward to specify that.they had no issue making specific claims in other amendments.
Indeed.
I would draw your attention to the other two forces discussed in Article I Section 8. Specifically, Part 12, which discusses Congress’s power to “raise” armies, and part 13, which discusses Congress’s power to “provide” a Navy. Both armies and the Navy are created by the government.
Contrast the language in parts 12 (armies) and 13 (Navy) with the language in part 15 (militia). The power of Congress is not to will the militia into existence, but to “call forth” the militia. That militia is never explicitly created by the government as armies and Navy are created. The militia is simply presumed to exist, and presumed capable of answering such a call.
“Militia” is a frequently misunderstood concept. We know from contemporary writings of the founding fathers that they specifically intended for every American to be considered a militiaman. You definitely want to look up the federal definition. 10 USC 246. That is only the legislated definition and not the constitutional meaning, but it is informative nonetheless.
10 USC 246 is a law enacted in accordance with Article I Section 8 parts 15 and 16 of the constitution. It is a provision for calling forth the militia. Under 10 USC 246, Congress provides for the specific people they want to be ready to called forth, by categorizing them into two “classes”. Every able-bodied male citizen, 17-45 years of age, and every male who intends to become a citizen, and every member of the national guard, (regardless of age or sex). 10 USC 246 underpins the regulation that all young men register for the draft. Selective Service registration is one of the few “regulations” that Congress has deemed fit to impose on the “Unorganized” class of the militia. The “Organized” class is subject to a number of additional regulations.
Again, though, this is the legislative definition, not the constitutional. Congress is not limited to the 17-45 age range, or men only, or even citizens. Congress could change the law to ages 16-60, or include women as well as men, or specify all persons subject to American law rather than just American citizens. Hell, they could even swap the “able bodies” requirement for “sound mind”: amputees and paraplegic individuals could still be called forth to control drones, for example.
Constitutionally, all of those additional people outside of the provisions of 10 USC 246 are already in the militia. Congress hasn’t deemed it necessary or proper to impose additional regulations on this group. Congress has effectively deemed them sufficiently “well regulated” with no formal regulation at all.
When we understand just what “militia” actually means, there is no real debate on the meaning of the Second Amendment. We can debate on what regulations are necessary and proper for Congress to impose on the general public in their capacity as militia, but infringement on the right to keep and bear arms is specifically excluded.
That’s a lot of words to try to claim that by stating “well-regulated militia” what they actually meant was every able-bodied man. If that were the case, it is much more straight forward to specify that.they had no issue making specific claims in other amendments. Doesn’t seem like those are comparable when you actually look at it beyond right wing talking points and perspectives written and lobbied by the firearms industry to sell as many products as possible.
No. Constitutionally, “militia” is not limited to either “able bodies” or “men”. Those distinctions arise from a provision Congress has made regarding the militia: 10 USC 246. They are not present in the Constitution itself, nor in contemporaneous writings and discussions.
Indeed.
I would draw your attention to the other two forces discussed in Article I Section 8. Specifically, Part 12, which discusses Congress’s power to “raise” armies, and part 13, which discusses Congress’s power to “provide” a Navy. Both armies and the Navy are created by the government.
Contrast the language in parts 12 (armies) and 13 (Navy) with the language in part 15 (militia). The power of Congress is not to will the militia into existence, but to “call forth” the militia. That militia is never explicitly created by the government as armies and Navy are created. The militia is simply presumed to exist, and presumed capable of answering such a call.