The militia consisted of able-bodied residents between certain ages who had a duty to respond when called forth by the government. But “well regulated” meant that the militias were trained, armed and controlled by the state. Indeed, 48 states have provisions in their constitutions that explicitly require the militia to be strictly subordinate to the civil authority. The federal and state government control of the militia has also been confirmed by the Supreme Court. The Supreme Court said without question that states had authority to control and regulate military bodies and associations as “necessary to the public peace, safety and good order.”

Source: New York Times October 08, 2020 21:33 UTC