Militia: Legal History

From the earliest days of the American Colonies, it was “every able–bodied adult free male‘s” duty pursuant to law to keep and bear arms suitable to perform their Militia service. Arms were purchased in the free-market and kept in the home. Failure to comply with Militia statutory regulations for organization, individual armament, and training would result in a fine. To be excused from performing one’s Militia service required an exemption.