Except I can find no writing, musing or statements from the founders that this is what is meant by the prefatory clause.
The Second Amendment was created in response to Patrick Henry's concerns expressed at the Virginia Ratifying Convention.
Patrick Henry:
"of what service would militia be to you, when, most probably, you will not have a single musket in the state? for, as arms are to be provided by Congress, they may or may not furnish them."
"Let me here call your attention to that part which gives the Congress power “to provide for organizing, arming, and disciplining the militia, and for governing such part of them as may be employed in the service of the United States-- reserving to the states, respectively, the appointment of the officers, and the authority of training the militia according to the discipline prescribed by Congress.” By this, sir, you see that their control over our last and best defence is unlimited. If they neglect or refuse to discipline or arm our militia, they will be useless: the states can do neither--this power being exclusively given to Congress. The power of appointing officers over men not disciplined or armed is ridiculous; so that this pretended little remains of power left to the states may, at the pleasure of Congress, be rendered nugatory."
Mr. HENRY. Mr. Chairman, I am much obliged to the very worthy gentleman for his encomium. I wish I was possessed with talents, or possessed of any thing that might enable me […]
teachingamericanhistory.org
Patrick Henry's concerns resulted in the Virginia Ratifying Convention proposing this as a right:
"17th. That the people have a right to keep and bear arms: that a well regulated militia composed of the body of the people trained to arms, is the proper, natural and safe defence of a free State. That standing armies in time of peace are dangerous to liberty, and therefore ought to be avoided, as far as the circumstances and protection of the community will admit; and that in all cases, the military should be under strict subordination to and governed by the civil power."
(Another engrossed form of the ratification agreed to on Wednesday last, containing the proposed Constitution of Government, as recommended by the Federal Convention on the seventeenth day of September, one […]
teachingamericanhistory.org
Parts of this were removed by the time it reached the Constitution, but you can see the beginnings of the Second Amendment in the first sentence.
The Virginia Ratifying Convention proposed modifications of the Constitution in order to enforce their proposed rights:
"11th. That each State respectively shall have the power to provide for organizing, arming, and disciplining its own militia, whensoever Congress shall omit or neglect to provide for the same. That the militia shall not be subject to martial law, except when in actual service in time of war, invasion or rebellion, and when not in the actual service of the United States, shall be subject only to such fines, penalties and punishments, as shall be directed or inflicted by the laws of its own State."
(Another engrossed form of the ratification agreed to on Wednesday last, containing the proposed Constitution of Government, as recommended by the Federal Convention on the seventeenth day of September, one […]
teachingamericanhistory.org
These modifications were not enacted, but the first sentence helps to illustrate that the Second Amendment was intended to address concerns that the feds would neglect to maintain the militia.
It was a prefatory clause.
That was the reason. No one has ever stated it was not in there for a reason.
I don't see it as a prefatory clause.
I see the statement that a well regulated militia is necessary as a mandate for the government to always keep the militia well armed and well trained.
I see this mandate as being separate and independent from the mandate that the right to keep and bear arms never be infringed.
It could, yes.
I disagree that it should but all rights have limitations and I do not think this is a limitation that can be substantiated. The majority of personal gun owners are more trained and more proficient in the weapons they own than even most of the people in the military.
As a member of the AF, we 'trained' on our weapons once every 3 years. Yes, once every 3 years.
Before we deployed to a warzone, we would take that class one more time. It was all of 4 hours. Every civilian I worked with owned weapons and every single one of them without fail was more proficient than those that were active duty members.
I can't see the courts allowing training requirements for civilians to exceed what is required of the local police.
LOL.
Take one look at the gun laws in NY and then say that again with a straight face.
Strict Scrutiny is not in effect yet though.
As soon as Strict Scrutiny comes into effect (which will hopefully happen this summer) New York gun laws are in for a serious purge.
When they are called upon, yes.
When they are not in service, then no.
I think they intended a portion of the militia to always be highly trained and in a state of readiness. Is that what you mean by called upon and in service?