. . . subsistence hunting (which meant the difference between life and starving to death - we have food stamps today), and were subject to either call or cajoling to use THEIR firearms (carried with them directly from their homes) in participation and support of militia(s) for various defense purposes.

Things have changed since the original "gun lobby".  We have layers of American military, Federal law enforcement, and then local law enforcement, not to mention the National Guards of each state, to carry out the defense function.

No more wild frontier to conquer or fend off.  Subsistence hunting is not.  It is decision hunting.  As in, I decide to hunt, I don't HAVE TO.