Who do you think comprised the “well regulated militia” in 1776?

James Madison (who introduced the 2nd Amendment) ”The right of the people to keep and bear arms shall not be infringed. A well regulated militia, composed of the body of the people, trained to arms, is the best and most natural defense of a free country."

Thomas Jefferson, in 1778, wrote “This difference is ascribed to our superiority in taking aim when we fire; every soldier in our army having been intimate with his gun from his infancy.” which is an odd statement if the intent of the 2nd was to only arm the militia... unless infants were permitted to serve in the milita also.

Jefferson doubled down on this idea later, in 1824 (long after the 2nd was passed), when he wrote ”The Constitution of most of our states (and of the United States) assert that all power is inherent in the people; that they may exercise it by themselves; that it is their right and duty to be at all times armed."

There are plenty more quotes regarding the 2nd in the Federalist Papers and later from pretty much every signatory to the Consitution.

So, the cherry picking which goes on is that of the uninformed making assumptions about the intent of the 2nd Amendment when those who wrote the Amendment were crystal clear on its intent and application.

Edit; Had some time, so here is a few more for you;

“A militia when properly formed are in fact the people themselves…and include, according to the past and general usuage of the states, all men capable of bearing arms… "To preserve liberty, it is essential that the whole body of the people always possess arms, and be taught alike, especially when young, how to use them.” - Richard Henry Lee, 1788.

“Besides the advantage of being armed, which the Americans possess over the people of almost every other nation, the existence of subordinate governments, to which the people are attached, and by which the militia officers are appointed, forms a barrier against the enterprises of ambition, more insurmountable than any which a simple government of any form can admit of.” - James Madison, 1788.

“The Constitution shall never be construed to prevent the people of the United States who are peaceable citizens from keeping their own arms.” - Samuel Adams, 1788.

Who do you think comprised the “well regulated militia” in 1776?

James Madison (who introduced the 2nd Amendment) ”The right of the people to keep and bear arms shall not be infringed. A well regulated militia, composed of the body of the people, trained to arms, is the best and most natural defense of a free country."

Thomas Jefferson, in 1778, wrote “This difference is ascribed to our superiority in taking aim when we fire; every soldier in our army having been intimate with his gun from his infancy.” which is an odd statement if the intent of the 2nd was to only arm the militia... unless infants were permitted to serve in the milita also.

Jefferson doubled down on this idea later, in 1824 (long after the 2nd was passed), when he wrote ”The Constitution of most of our states (and of the United States) assert that all power is inherent in the people; that they may exercise it by themselves; that it is their right and duty to be at all times armed."

There are plenty more quotes regarding the 2nd in the Federalist Papers and later from pretty much every signatory to the Consitution.

So, the cherry picking which goes on is that of the uninformed making assumptions about the intent of the 2nd Amendment when those who wrote the Amendment were crystal clear on its intent and application.

*Edit; Had some time, so here is a few more for you ;

“A militia when properly formed are in fact the people themselves…and include, according to the past and general usuage of the states, all men capable of bearing arms… "To preserve liberty, it is essential that the whole body of the people always possess arms, and be taught alike, especially when young, how to use them.” - Richard Henry Lee, 1788.

“Besides the advantage of being armed, which the Americans possess over the people of almost every other nation, the existence of subordinate governments, to which the people are attached, and by which the militia officers are appointed, forms a barrier against the enterprises of ambition, more insurmountable than any which a simple government of any form can admit of.” - James Madison, 1788.

“The Constitution shall never be construed to prevent the people of the United States who are peaceable citizens from keeping their own arms.” - Samuel Adams, 1788.

Who do you think comprised the “well regulated militia” in 1776?

James Madison (who introduced the 2nd Amendment) ”The right of the people to keep and bear arms shall not be infringed. A well regulated militia, composed of the body of the people, trained to arms, is the best and most natural defense of a free country."

Thomas Jefferson, in 1778, wrote “This difference is ascribed to our superiority in taking aim when we fire; every soldier in our army having been intimate with his gun from his infancy.” which is an odd statement if the intent of the 2nd was to only arm the militia... unless infants were permitted to serve in the milita also.

Jefferson doubled down on this idea later, in 1824 (long after the 2nd was passed), when he wrote ”The Constitution of most of our states (and of the United States) assert that all power is inherent in the people; that they may exercise it by themselves; that it is their right and duty to be at all times armed."

There are plenty more quotes regarding the 2nd in the Federalist Papers and later from pretty much every signatory to the Consitution.

So, the cherry picking which goes on is that of the uninformed making assumptions about the intent of the 2nd Amendment when those who wrote the Amendment were crystal clear on its intent and application.