That theory could soon be put to the test, thanks to a bill introduced in the West Virginia Senate.
SB 1071 is meant, at least in part to "guarantee armament parity between the American citizen and government infantryman." The bill's authors maintain that "together, the Second Amendment and Article III, Section 22 [of the West Virginia Constitution] guarantee the right of the people to keep and bear the 'arms of modern warfare' for the defense of themselves and the State," including "the sorts of portable, bearable machineguns that currently are in common use by law enforcement in this State and military units nationwide."
SB 1071 would establish a statewide Office of Public Defense within the West Virginia State Police, with the superintendent of the State Police serving as the office's director.