Letter to the Editor: State issue
BY Joe Baumgartner, Broken Arrow
Monday, January 21, 2013
1/21/13 at 7:32 AM
In 1813 Beverly, Va., had a population of 300.
By law, that town was required to form a militia. Every able-bodied man in the town and "surrounding area" (except clergy and medical doctors) was enrolled.
They elected officers and were issued muskets and accoutrements (assault guns, bayonets, ammo, etc.). They were not to use these muskets to hunt. They were required to attend drills and defend Virginia. They were assigned to the Randolph Artillery Co. of the 107th Regiment, 20th Brigade, 3rd Division of the Virginia Militia.
When they were no longer able-bodied, they returned the musket and accoutrements (in good repair) to the commandant clerk, or paid the Commonwealth of Virginia $18.
This is an example of a constitutional militia. The state issued "modern" military weapons to all able-bodied men. These weapons were kept in the house and used for protection of the home and Virginia. Virginia was not an exception - every state had a militia.
Nothing involved the federal government because the Second Amendment (which had just been passed) forbade it.
The issue of firearms belongs to the states.
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