Constitutional Rights to Form Militias

In the United States, the word "militia" invokes memories of Timothy McVeigh and a decision to blowup a federal building. After 9/11, "militia" and "terrorism" seemed to go hand in hand. However, the authors of the Constitution and Bill of Rights never dreamed those two words would be linked. In their minds, the militia was to defend states' rights against a powerful federal government turning to tyranny.

Although our forefathers attempted to cover all bases, they never met Timothy McVeigh. Who, back then, could envision how over time our pristine governmental laws would become so complex? That cases brought before the Supreme Court and lower courts, would be settled by precedents? This would cause many of our forefathers to cringe at the changes in their wisdom of the Constitution and Bill of Rights, although some changes were needed as our country grew.

If you listen to the carefully chosen words of some militias, under the guise of gun control, it may make sense. But a little twist of meanings can also bring about tyranny. The right to bear arms is a good law for honest people. Building a militia with extraordinary weapons in the hands of ordinary citizens, becomes something else when radicals are involved. The National Guard is a militia that is used to restore after a disaster. It is to help all citizens, and if necessary, fight terrorists groups infringing on our rights here on our home ground. Remember the fight for our black citizens? These caused "militias" to be used as it was meant to be, and caused "militias" not be linked to terrorism. It is the radicals that spring up in these groups, and apparently there are more than we would like to think, that can cause problems.