[Carl in Tampa]

This post is not to re-ignite the Second Amendment discussion, but rather to educate people who are apparently ignorant of facts about the modern militia. There is no shame to being ignorant; only in refusing to learn.

Florida law makes a distinction between the "organized militia" and the "unorganized militia." I have in my lifetime been a member of each.

Do not make the error of believing that the concept of the militia is obsolete.

Florida Statutues

250.02 Militia.—
(1) The militia consists of all able-bodied citizens of this state and all other able-bodied persons who have declared their intention to become citizens.
(2) The organized militia is composed of the National Guard and any other organized military forces that are authorized by law.
(3) The unorganized militia is composed of all persons who are subject to military duty but who are not members of units of the organized militia.
(4) Only persons exempt from military duty by the terms of federal law are exempt from military duty in this state.
History.—s. 4, ch. 8502, 1921; CGL 2015; s. 1, ch. 25112, 1949; s. 1, ch. 73-93; s. 2, ch. 2003-68.
Note.—Former ss. 250.04, 250.05.

You might want to make a search of the militia for your home state. You might be surprised to learn that there is a provision somewhere in your state's law that provides for both an organized militia and an unorganized militia. There is a lot more to it than just the National Guard.