How to Read the 2nd Amendment and the Constitution

[BjornF16]

Quite simply as I explained. It is no longer a right when it is a requirement. A right means having the option, a choice to exercise a behavior if so desired. The first Militia Act of 1792 took away that right as it was no longer a choice. Anything that you are required to do by law is not a right, plain and simple. That they were in the militia, was not by their choice, but required by law. That they had to provide their own arms for the state actually made it a tax.

I know I'm late to this fight (but have been out of the country for last 2 months...)

The Militia Act only required certain firearms and accoutrements to be maintained. Surely there are other types of "arms" available that weren't required by the Militia Act to be possessed.

Militia Act only required those active members of the militia to own and maintain a "standardized" weapon system and amount of lead and powder.

They could then choose to have other personal "arms" for 2A protected purposes (e.g. hunting, self-defense, etc).