Question

that the people have a right to keep and bear arms: that a well regulated militia composed of the body of the people trained to arms, is the proper, natural and safe defense of a free state. that standing armies in time of peace are dangerous to liberty, and therefore ought to be avoided, as far as the circumstances and protection of the community will admit; and that in all cases, the military should be under strict subordination to and governed by the civil power.

based on the passage, which statement best describes the virginia state ratifying conventions view on standing armies?

choose 1 answer:

a they are necessary for the national defense and should be under federal control.

b they should be responsible for everyday policing and the protection of local communities.

c they should exist only when the country is at war, as they can be used to oppress the people.

d they must be staffed by members of local militias, as militia members are well trained for combat

Explanation:

1. Analyze Option A: The passage says the military should be under civil power, not federal control, and standing armies in peace are dangerous, so A is wrong.
2. Analyze Option B: The passage focuses on standing armies in peace being dangerous, not their role in everyday policing, so B is wrong.
3. Analyze Option C: The passage states "standing armies in time of peace are dangerous to liberty, and therefore ought to be avoided, as far as the circumstances and protection of the community will admit", implying they should exist only when necessary (like war) as they can oppress, so C matches.
4. Analyze Option D: The passage doesn't mention standing armies being staffed by local militias, so D is wrong.

Answer:

C. They should exist only when the country is at war, as they can be used to oppress the people.