<Dd> <Dl> <Dd> (b) The prefatory clause comports with the Court's interpretation of the operative clause . The "militia" comprised all males physically capable of acting in concert for the common defense . The Antifederalists feared that the Federal Government would disarm the people in order to disable this citizens' militia, enabling a politicized standing army or a select militia to rule . The response was to deny Congress power to abridge the ancient right of individuals to keep and bear arms, so that the ideal of a citizens' militia would be preserved . Pp. 22--28 . </Dd> </Dl> </Dd> <Dl> <Dd> (b) The prefatory clause comports with the Court's interpretation of the operative clause . The "militia" comprised all males physically capable of acting in concert for the common defense . The Antifederalists feared that the Federal Government would disarm the people in order to disable this citizens' militia, enabling a politicized standing army or a select militia to rule . The response was to deny Congress power to abridge the ancient right of individuals to keep and bear arms, so that the ideal of a citizens' militia would be preserved . Pp. 22--28 . </Dd> </Dl> <Dd> (b) The prefatory clause comports with the Court's interpretation of the operative clause . The "militia" comprised all males physically capable of acting in concert for the common defense . The Antifederalists feared that the Federal Government would disarm the people in order to disable this citizens' militia, enabling a politicized standing army or a select militia to rule . The response was to deny Congress power to abridge the ancient right of individuals to keep and bear arms, so that the ideal of a citizens' militia would be preserved . Pp. 22--28 . </Dd> <Dl> <Dd> <Dl> <Dd> (c) The Court's interpretation is confirmed by analogous arms - bearing rights in state constitutions that preceded and immediately followed the Second Amendment . Pp. 28--30 . </Dd> </Dl> </Dd> </Dl>

Amendment 2 right to bear arms court cases