http://web2.airmail.net/jcpatton/intent.htm

The constitution says:

a well-regulated militia being necessary to the security of a free state, the right of the people to keep and bear arms, shall not be infringed.

Webster’s New Collegiate Dictionary says:

MILITIA- the whole body of able-bodied male citizens declared by law as being subject to call to military service.

NECESSARY- compulsory…absolutely needed…required.

SECURITY- freedom from danger: safety…freedom from fear or anxiety.

FREE- political independence or freedom from outside domination.

RIGHT- something to which one has a just claim.

Black’s Law Dictionary says:

KEEP- to have or retain in one’s power or possession…

BEAR ARMS- to carry arms as weapons with reference to their military use…as applied to firearms, includes the right to load and shoot them, and to use them as such things are generally used.

SHALL NOT- as used in statutes, contracts, or the like, this word is generally imperative or mandatory.

INFRINGED- Webster defines as “to break off…defeat,frustrate…violate, transgress…encroach” (ENCROACH- to enter by gradual step by stealth into the possession or right of another)

OK, Let’s re-write this puppy into today’s words.

A well-trained body of able-bodied male citizens subject to military service being required, compulsory and neccessary to the safety and freedom from danger, fear, or anxiety of a free and independent state,

the right, power, and privilege of the individual citizen to have, retain, keep, use, load, and shoot military arms shall not and must not be infringed, or encroached upon by gradual steps or by stealth.

Not so hard to understand now, is it?