Professor Akhil Amar of Yale Law School, author of the book "The Bill of Rights," and (at least in my opinion) the top 14th Amendment scholar in the world, discussed the right to arms under the 14th Amendment. (The 14th Amendment, proposed in 1868, provides in relevant part that no State may infringe the "privileges and immunities" of Federal citizenship, or deprive people of due process of law).

Amar's thesis is that the original 2d Amendment was an individual right, but one of a "communitarian" nature. That is, its purpose was to enable the entire people, as a body, to deter or overthrow an oppressive government (in particular, to rise up under State guidance to overthrow an oppressive national government). In his view, the 14th Amendment broadens and makes more personal this right. The 14th Amendment's protection of the right to arms is aimed at enabling individuals, acting as individuals, to defend themselves against individual criminals -- including state officials. [20 meg video file--takes a bit to download, even at cable speeds].