Reply #6: RKBA is first and foremost about self-defense and only secondarily about defense of state. [View All]

[jody]

SCOTUS has not addressed the type of arms for defense of self but it did for defense of state. It said in U.S. v. Miller, 307 U.S. 174 (1939):

The signification attributed to the term Militia appears from the debates in the Convention, the history and legislation of Colonies and States, and the writings of approved commentators. These show plainly enough that the Militia comprised all males physically capable of acting in concert for the common defense. 'A body of citizens enrolled for military discipline.' And further, that ordinarily when called for service these men were expected to appear bearing arms supplied by themselves and of the kind in common use at the time.

If citizens are expected to appear bearing arms supplied by themselves, that means individual arms kept in a citizen's home, not provided by government and stored in a government armory.

The type of individual arms in common use today by the organized militia are the M-16 rifle and M-9 pistol.