A 2-1 panel faulted a provision of Mississippi’s state constitution that mandates lifetime disenfranchisement for people convicted of crimes including murder, rape and theft.
what they actually meant was every able-bodied man
No. Constitutionally, “militia” is not limited to either “able bodies” or “men”. Those distinctions arise from a provision Congress has made regarding the militia: 10 USC 246. They are not present in the Constitution itself, nor in contemporaneous writings and discussions.
If that were the case, it is much more straight forward to specify that.they had no issue making specific claims in other amendments.
Indeed.
I would draw your attention to the other two forces discussed in Article I Section 8. Specifically, Part 12, which discusses Congress’s power to “raise” armies, and part 13, which discusses Congress’s power to “provide” a Navy. Both armies and the Navy are created by the government.
Contrast the language in parts 12 (armies) and 13 (Navy) with the language in part 15 (militia). The power of Congress is not to will the militia into existence, but to “call forth” the militia. That militia is never explicitly created by the government as armies and Navy are created. The militia is simply presumed to exist, and presumed capable of answering such a call.
No. Constitutionally, “militia” is not limited to either “able bodies” or “men”. Those distinctions arise from a provision Congress has made regarding the militia: 10 USC 246. They are not present in the Constitution itself, nor in contemporaneous writings and discussions.
Indeed.
I would draw your attention to the other two forces discussed in Article I Section 8. Specifically, Part 12, which discusses Congress’s power to “raise” armies, and part 13, which discusses Congress’s power to “provide” a Navy. Both armies and the Navy are created by the government.
Contrast the language in parts 12 (armies) and 13 (Navy) with the language in part 15 (militia). The power of Congress is not to will the militia into existence, but to “call forth” the militia. That militia is never explicitly created by the government as armies and Navy are created. The militia is simply presumed to exist, and presumed capable of answering such a call.