<P> Madison stresses that the General and state governments are two totally different agencies . He articulates that they are separate yet are able to collaborate, and that the power lies in the people . The natural attachment of the people will always be to the governments of their respective states, so the federal government must be, in a sense, extraordinarily congenial to the people . </P> <P> In an effort to further dissuade fears over a national military force, Madison indicates that, at any point, the maximum force that can be brought to bear by the government to enforce its mandates is but a small fraction (~ 1 / 5) the might of a militia: </P> <P>... Extravagant as the supposition is, let it however be made . Let a regular army, fully equal to the resources of the country, be formed; and let it be entirely at the devotion of the federal government; still it would not be going too far to say, that the State governments, with the people on their side, would be able to repel the danger . The highest number to which, according to the best computation, a standing army can be carried in any country, does not exceed one hundredth part of the whole number of souls; or one twenty - fifth part of the number able to bear arms . This proportion would not yield, in the United States, an army of more than twenty - five or thirty thousand men . To these would be opposed a militia amounting to near half a million of citizens with arms in their hands, officered by men chosen from among themselves, fighting for their common liberties, and united and conducted by governments possessing their affections and confidence . It may well be doubted, whether a militia thus circumstanced could ever be conquered by such a proportion of regular troops . Those who are best acquainted with the last successful resistance of this country against the British arms, will be most inclined to deny the possibility of it . 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 . Notwithstanding the military establishments in the several kingdoms of Europe, which are carried as far as the public resources will bear, the governments are afraid to trust the people with arms . And it is not certain, that with this aid alone they would not be able to shake off their yokes . But were the people to possess the additional advantages of local governments chosen by themselves, who could collect the national will and direct the national force, and of officers appointed out of the militia, by these governments, and attached both to them and to the militia, it may be affirmed with the greatest assurance, that the throne of every tyranny in Europe would be speedily overturned in spite of the legions which surround it . </P> <P> The functions of the state government are similar but on different scales to pertain to the correct groups of people . State government is obviously more closely connected with the people so the issues that they deal with are on a more personal level . Some problems that the state deals with for citizens are criminals who break state regulations; divorce and family matters; real estate; and medical issues from work, car accidents, or medical malpractice . The state has to govern a much smaller group of individuals compared to the federal government so they are able to dig deeper into the more personal lives of the people in their state . As for the federal government, they have a large spectrum of citizens so they control larger affairs such as federal taxes, immigration, bankruptcy, social security, and patent / copyright laws . There is a separation between the two governments when it comes to responsibilities because of how far their influences spread . This separation was the original design for our government but over time as their responsibilities remained virtually the same, their interactions increased . </P>

What do the federalist papers say about the second amendment