What is the right to bear arms in the USA? (advanced topic!)?

Question

"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." - Bill of Rights
What was the INTENT of the James Madison when he wrote these articles?
Originally our country was not a republic but a confederacy. This confederacy was exceptionally weak due to bickering between the states and the central governing body didn't have enough power to ensure the protection of the states. Therefore the Articles of Confederation were removed and the Constitution was created. The Bill of Rights was added on as to limit the power of the government.
Militias were initially bands of non-conscripted farmers, fighting on volunteer basis. These were the armies that fought and won the war for independence. They provided their own weapons when joining the fight. They were fighting against a real army.
So, a militiaman is a citizen, an arm is a weapon that is capable of defeating an army.
Please discuss!

Answer 1

The intent was the maintain a free state by having an armed populace. An armed populace is much harder to oppress, as well as harder to conquer.

Answer 2

So...you are suggesting that we legalize RPG's and tanks for neighborhood watch groups? I am all for it...

I'm kidding, of course. However, the reality is that ANY weapon can be used to fight. The muskets that were used in those days were not very accurate. Considering the rate of fire, they would have preferred a Colt .45 to a musket, any day of the week.

I don't like the government's tendancy to stick it's nose in my personal affairs. There is no concievable reason why I SHOULDN'T own a gun. I'm a single male. I live in a very bad neighborhood. My idea of preventing crime is to sit on my porch and clean my gun. It let's the gangsters in my area know that if they come on to my property, they will be in for a fight.

Answer 3

despite other answerer's attempts to deconstruct history the meaning was pretty clear. an armed populace was as good an army that the confederacy could hope to have.

historically there have been lots of limitations applied to the amendment to limit your personal weapons in size and shape to only allow for defensive purposes only -- rendering you ineffective against american police and/or military.

Answer 4

If you're asking what was the intent of a person who has been dead for around 200 years, you're not going to get a definitive answer. You're only going to get someone's speculation based upon circumstantial historical evidence subject to that person's interpretation/agenda.

Answer 5

Each citizen has the intelligence and the responsibility to defend the U. S. Constitution.