Constitutional militia

A constitutional militia refers to a group of armed citizens organized for common defense, as recognized by the U.S. Constitution. Historically, it denotes local, state, or national citizen armies that can be called upon for military duties, separate from professional armed forces. The Second Amendment emphasizes the importance of a well-regulated militia for maintaining security and liberty. Today, the term generally relates to civilian groups that see themselves as guardians of constitutional rights, often emphasizing their role in protecting against potential government overreach while operating within legal boundaries.