State militias, also known as state National Guards, refer to organized groups of citizen-soldiers who are trained by their respective states. They can be called upon during emergencies or national defense situations.
Related terms
Second Amendment: The constitutional provision that recognizes "the right of the people to keep and bear Arms" which includes state militias.
National Guard: A reserve military force composed of both federal (national) authority and state authority, primarily used for domestic emergencies.
Posse Comitatus Act: A federal law that limits the use of federal military personnel for law enforcement purposes within U.S. territory.