1. A body of citizens armed and trained, esp. by a state, for military service apart from the regular armed forces. • The Constitution recognizes a state’s right to form a “well-regulated militia” but also grants Congress the power to activate, organize, and govern a federal militia. U.S. Const. amend. II; U.S. Const. art. I, § 8, cl. 15–16. See NATIONAL GUARD. [Cases: Militia 1–3; Weapons
1. C.J.S. Armed Services §§ 288–289; Weapons §§ 1–8, 61–62.]
reserve militia. All persons who are not exempt from military service and not actively serving in the armed forces or national guard.
2. Roman law. Military service.
