Little more can reasonably be aimed at, with respect to the people at large, than to have them properly armed and equipped; and in order to see that this be not neglected, it will be necessary to assemble them once or twice in the course of a year. The Federalist Papers Very much like the National Guard, only with less training and supervision. And this statement was made by Alexander Hamilton, in the belief that a militia was a necessity.

However, that was a day when people hunted for food and carried guns for safety against footpads and varmints. Today a trip to the supermarket for most people doesn't require quite as much forethought or protection.

(Hey, as we go 'round peering into people's bedrooms and garages obeying our government's decree to monitor each other for our citizens' safety, maybe we can carry guns and take care of any problems as they arise?)