ACLU

[velojym]

Who defines what a "well-regulated militia" is?  How hard is it to start one, in NH and otherwise?

A non-regulated militia is illegal in NH.  A well-regulated militia would be the NH National Guard.  However, guns go well with NH.  Heck, the American Revolution started in NH over guns and powder.

Hmm... NH National Guard is a government controlled bunch, and I would imagine the framers of the Constitution and Bill of Rights had a bit of mistrust of such.

[mbd]

The policy states:

"The ACLU agrees with the Supreme Court's long-standing interpretation of the Second Amendment [as set forth in the 1939 case, U.S. v. Miller] that the individual's right to bear arms applies only to the preservation or efficiency of a well-regulated militia. Except for lawful police and military purposes, the possession of weapons by individuals is not constitutionally protected. Therefore, there is no constitutional impediment to the regulation of firearms."

Who defines what a "well-regulated militia" is?  How hard is it to start one, in NH and otherwise?

I've never seen regulation of anything done particularly well. And the Supreme Court isn't exactly unanimous on the subject of gun control, based just on the reading I did in law school.

[Porcupine_in_MA]

Just so you know, "well regulated" during the time of the Founding Fathers was being used differently from what it would mean now.  "Well regulated" was used to mean well put together, to quote American Heritage Dictionary "To adjust (a mechanism) for accurate and proper functioning".

[error]

The Department of Justice (yes, THOSE assholes) took a look at this a while back, and concluded the ACLU was on crack for thinking people didn't have a right to keep and bear arms.

http://www.homelandstupidity.us/2004/12/19/the-second-amendment-is-an-individual-right/