From indirect cite:

Smith’s extensive statutory review confirms that “bear” did generally refer to the carrying of arms by militiamen.[59] Since statutes referring to the transportation of arms by individuals outside the militia context (e.g., statutes forbidding blacks and Indians to transport them) invariably used the word “carry” instead of “bear,” he concludes that the amendment’s use of “bear” is designed to protect the carrying of arms outside the home only in the course of militia service.[60] In contrast, Smith finds that “keep” was commonly used in colonial and early state statutes to describe arms possession by individuals in all contexts, not just in relation to militia service.
http://www.guncite.com/journals/kmich.html#h2.1.3-1

So there does seem to be some scholarly opinion that “bear” refers only to militia-related activities as you state. Rats.

However, “possession by individuals in all contexts” could be argued to include carrying in self defense as a valid context.

I am amazed. Would you care to cite a “general interpretation” by some recognized authority on the 2nd Amendment and the founders’ intent

IIRC, it’s from A CRITICAL GUIDE TO THE
SECOND AMENDMENT by Glenn Reynolds. Will have to re-read later to verify. Busy now.

Looking the word up in Samuel Johnson’s Dictionary of 1824 at pg. 60 says:

A misconception is that keep and bear means to have and carry. It does not. ‘Keep and bear’ is separate from ‘wearing’. ‘keep and bear’ has been generally interpreted to mean to have and be able to train with or use.

I am amazed. Would you care to cite a “general interpretation” by some recognized authority on the 2nd Amendment and the founders’ intent (like David Hardy or David Young) that “bear” does not mean “carry”?

Looking the word up in a href=”http://books.google.com/books?id=lqsRAAAAIAAJ&ots=4bAbIOZjJJ&dq=18th%20century%20english%20dictionary&pg=PA60″ rel=”external”>Samuel Johnson’s Dictionary of 1824 at pg. 60 says:

To BEAR i a pret Ae rc or bate part pass bore or born beonan Sax To carry as a burden Isaiah To convey or carry …

The NRA is certainly the largest gun industry advocacy group

You keep using that canard. The gun industry has it’s own advocacy group. The NSSF.

The NRA is certainly the largest gun industry advocacy group, but not all of their members agree with their opposition to gun show reforms and other measures to control the flow of firearms.