""What, sir, is the use of a militia? It is to prevent the establishment of a standing army, the bane of liberty... Whenever governments mean to invade the rights and liberties of the people, they always attempt to destroy the militia, in order to raise an army upon their ruins.""
— House Debate #1: Militia Interpretation
House of Representatives debate, 1789
Historical Significance
Legislative understanding of militia as check on standing armies
Context
First Congress debate on Second Amendment language
Context
First Congress debate on Second Amendment language
Historical Significance
Legislative understanding of militia as check on standing armies