Reply #274: See Miller, also Aymette [View All]

[hansberrym]

(From Miller)
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...


(From Aymette)
The citizens have the unqualified right to keep the weapon, it being of the character before described as being intended by this provision. But the right to bear arms is not of that unqualified character. The citizens may bear them for the common defence; but it does not follow that they may be borne by an individual, merely to terrify the people or for purposes of private assassination. And, as the manner in which they are worn and circumstances under which they are carried indicate to every man the purpose of the wearer, the legislature may prohibit such manner of wearing as would never be resorted to by persons engaged in the common defence.


The above citations strongly suggest small arms such as rifles. Not A-bombs or even small suitcase-sized A-bombs since these are not in "common use".