Any precedent for militias owning banned weapons?

[p35bhp09]

This is an unimportant question, just something I was wondering. Anti's continually say the second ammendment is not an individual right. If that's so, can a group of people get together, form a "well trained trained militia" and own banned weapons? If there is anything wrong with this question feel free to delete-moderators.

 

[k_semler]

USC Title 10, Subtitle A, Part 1, Chapter 13, Section 311

(a) The militia of the United States consists of all able-bodied males at least 17 years of age and, except as provided in section 313 of title 32, under 45 years of age who are, or who have made a declaration of intention to become, citizens of the United States and of female citizens of the United States who are members of the National Guard.

(b) The classes of the militia are -
(1) the organized militia, which consists of the National Guard and the Naval Militia; and
(2) the unorganized militia, which consists of the members of the militia who are not members of the National Guard or the Naval Militia.

 

[Maxwell]

The anti's current idea of militia (a volunteer army for emergencies, or one made up of the whole body of citizens) is a police force, national guard, and/or federal troops (paid and trained professionals).

In which case... yes, they own a number of NFA banned weapons.

By the Antis theory a group of militia can be formed and arm itself and everythings ok... until a group forms up and arms itself for something they dont agree with (Lets say right to lifers, fanatic cult members, or neo-nazis).

I think the fuzzy grey line is this is that the group somehow have the states blessing or be into torching animal testing labs or something.

As far as true militia in historical sense, they owned cannons and (if Im not mistaken) even warships. Stuff that was well beyond simple self defense weaponry.

 

[Jeff White]

The Militia is not a private army.

From the first legislation after the revolution, (Militia Act of 1792) to today, the militia has always been part of the government. It has always been a force comprised of normal citizens who would be called into service by the elected government in times of crisis.

The purpose of the militia is to provide the elected government with a ready force. Private armies are not allowed. See Presser v. Illinois. In Presser, the US Supreme Court essentially ruled that the second amendment said that the government couldn't prohibit the possession or bearing of arms, but it could regulate and outlaw private, unsanctioned military organizations. The case (from the 1870s) came out of an issue where Presser wanted to parade his unit through Chicago and the governor refused to permit it.

The militia is not (and never has been) a check on elected political authority. It is a tool that is available to the elected political authority.

Jeff

 

[Maxwell]

The Militia defined?

The purpose of the militia is to provide the elected government with a ready force. Private armies are not allowed.

A privately owned army is not allowed, but a militia is a volunteer army.
Maybe nows the time for me to ask; If you and your buddies gather for war games on the weekend as an organized group, is that a militia or private army?

So far as I understand this:
Those who want to can gather on their own time (freedom of assembly anyway) and train on their own dime. They do not need the governments permission to form, do not need a uniform, but they do not have the authority to launch an attack on their own and should fall under the governments direction when called. The government also retains the right to disband a militia(?).

Which leads me to ask if theres such a thing as a legitimate licensed milita still in existance?

 

[Aguila Blanca]

A "licensed militia"? The Militia Act doesn't say anything about licenses.

Jeff White, you raise some good points, but I think you are incorrect in concluding that the militia "is not (and never has been) a check on elected political authority." Remember that the original Militia Act was written at a time when Americans did not trust the national government to have standing armies. The militias (plural) fell under the purview of the states, and were available to the states to act as a check on the Federal government.

That was, indeed, one of the cornerstones of the original concept of this country. The idea was to limit the power of the government by ensuring that the People had the guns, NOT the government.

 

[R.H. Lee]

How can 'ownership' of weapons be apportioned to a group? Is the group a legal entity such as a corporation, LLC, or government agency? For example, a police department can own weapons and will retain ownership no matter how much the personnel turn over. But a PD is a government agency with defined lawful powers, a continuing budget, and accountability.

I guess it depends on what you define as a 'militia'. If it's just a bunch of loose knit people getting together without some formal organizational structure, then no, you probably can't have 'group' ownership.

 

[Jeff White]

Hawkmoon,
The Militia Act of 1792 authorized the President of the United States to call out the militia.
http://www.constitution.org/mil/mil_act_1792.htm

Militia Act of 1792,
Second Congress, Session I. Chapter XXVIII
Passed May 2, 1792,
providing for the authority of the President to call out the Militia

Section 1. Be it enacted by the Senate and House of Representatives of the United States of America in Congress assembled, That whenever the United States shall be invaded, or be in imminent danger of invasion from any foreign nation or Indian tribe, it shall be lawful for the President of the United States, to call forth such number of the militia of the state or states most convenient to the place of danger or scene of action as he may judge necessary to repel such invasion, and to issue his orders for that purpose, to such officer or officers of the militia as he shall think proper; and in case of an insurrection in any state, against the government thereof, it shall be lawful for the President of the United States, on application of the legislature of such state, or of the executive (when the legislature cannot be convened) to call forth such number of the militia of any other state or states, as may be applied for, or as he may judge sufficient to suppress such insurrection.

Sec. 2. And be it further enacted, That whenever the laws of the United States shall be opposed or the execution thereof obstructed, in any state, by combinations too powerful to be suppressed by the ordinary course of judicial proceedings, or by the powers vested in the marshals by this act, the same being notified to the President of the United States, by an associate justice or the district judge, it shall be lawful for the President of the United States to call forth the militia of such state to suppress such combinations, and to cause the laws to be duly executed. And if the militia of a state, where such combinations may happen, shall refuse, or be insufficient to suppress the same, it shall be lawful for the President, if the legislature of the United States be not in session, to call forth and employ such numbers of the militia of any other state or states most convenient thereto, as may be necessary, and the use of militia, so to be called forth, may be continued, if necessary, until the expiration of thirty days after the commencement of the ensuing session.

Sec. 3. Provided always, and be it further enacted, That whenever it may be necessary, in the judgment of the President, to use the military force hereby directed to be called forth, the President shall forthwith, and previous thereto, by proclamation, command such insurgents to disperse, and retire peaceably to their respective abodes, within a limited time.

Sec. 4. And be it further enacted, That the militia employed in the service of the United States, shall receive the same pay and allowances, as the troops of the United States, who may be in service at the same time, or who were last in service, and shall be subject to the same rules and articles of war: And that no officer, non-commissioned officer or private of the militia shall be compelled to serve more than three months in any one year, nor more than in due rotation with every other able-bodied man of the same rank in the battalion to which be belongs.

Sec. 5. And be it further enacted, That every officer, non-commissioned officer or private of the militia, who shall fail to obey the orders of the President of the United States in any of the cases before recited, shall forfeit a sum not exceeding one year's pay, and not less than one month's pay, to be determined and adjudged by a court martial; and such officers shall, moreover, be liable to be cashiered by sentence of a court martial: and such non-commissioned officers and privates shall be liable to be imprisoned by the like sentence, or failure of payment of the fines adjudged against them, for the space of one calendar month for every five dollars of such fine.

Sec. 6. And be it further enacted, That court martial for the trial of militia be composed of militia officers only.

Sec. 7. And be it further enacted, That all fines to be assessed, as aforesaid, shall be certified by the presiding officer of the court martial before whom the same shall be assessed, to the marshal of the district, in which the delinquent shall reside, or to one of his deputies; and also the supervisor of the revenue of the same district, who shall record the said certificate in a book to be kept for that purpose. The said marshal or his deputy shall forthwith proceed to levy the said fines with costs, by distress and sale of the goods and chattels of the delinquent, which costs and manner of proceeding, with respect to the sale of the goods distrained, shall be agreeable to the laws of the state, in which the same shall be, in other cases of distress; and where any non-commissioned officer or private shall be adjudged to suffer imprisonment, there being no goods or chattels to be found, whereof to levy the said fines, the marshal of the district or his deputy may commit such delinquent to gaol, during the term, for which he shall be so adjudged to imprisonment, or until the fine shall be paid, in the same manner as other persons condemned to fine and imprisonment at the suit of the United States, may be committed.

Sec. 8. And be it further enacted, That the marshals and their deputies shall pay all such fines by them levied to the supervisor of the revenue, in the district in which they are collected, within two months after they shall have received the same, deducting therefrom five per centum, as a compensation for their trouble; and in case of failure, the same shall be recoverable by action of debt or information in any court of the United States, of the district, in which such fines shall be levied, having cognizance therefor, to be sued for, prosecuted and recovered, in the name of the supervisor of the district, with interest and costs.

Sec. 9. And be it further enacted, That the marshals of the several districts and deputies, shall have the same powers in executing the laws of the United States, as sheriffs, and their deputies in the several states have by law, in executing the laws of their respective states.

Sec. 10. And be it further enacted, That this act shall continue and be in force, for and during the term of two years, and from thence to the end of the next session of Congress thereafter, and no longer.

APPROVED, May 2, 1792.

The Militia Act of 1792, Passed May 8, 1792, providing federal standards for the organization of the Militia.

An ACT more effectually to provide for the National Defence, by establishing an Uniform Militia throughout the United States.

I. Be it enacted by the Senate and House of Representatives of the United States of America, in Congress assembled, That each and every free able-bodied white male citizen of the respective States, resident therein, who is or shall be of age of eighteen years, and under the age of forty-five years (except as is herein after excepted) shall severally and respectively be enrolled in the militia, by the Captain or Commanding Officer of the company, within whose bounds such citizen shall reside, and that within twelve months after the passing of this Act. And it shall at all time hereafter be the duty of every such Captain or Commanding Officer of a company, to enroll every such citizen as aforesaid, and also those who shall, from time to time, arrive at the age of 18 years, or being at the age of 18 years, and under the age of 45 years (except as before excepted) shall come to reside within his bounds; and shall without delay notify such citizen of the said enrollment, by the proper non-commissioned Officer of the company, by whom such notice may be proved. That every citizen, so enrolled and notified, shall, within six months thereafter, provide himself with a good musket or firelock, a sufficient bayonet and belt, two spare flints, and a knapsack, a pouch, with a box therein, to contain not less than twenty four cartridges, suited to the bore of his musket or firelock, each cartridge to contain a proper quantity of power and ball; or with a good rifle, knapsack, shot-pouch, and power-horn, twenty balls suited to the bore of his rifle, and a quarter of a power of power; and shall appear so armed, accoutred and provided, when called out to exercise or into service, except, that when called out on company days to exercise only, he may appear without a knapsack. That the commissioned Officers shall severally be armed with a sword or hanger, and espontoon; and that from and after five years from the passing of this Act, all muskets from arming the militia as is herein required, shall be of bores sufficient for balls of the eighteenth part of a pound; and every citizen so enrolled, and providing himself with the arms, ammunition and accoutrements, required as aforesaid, shall hold the same exempted from all suits, distresses, executions or sales, for debt or for the payment of taxes.

II. And be it further enacted, That the Vice-President of the United States, the Officers, judicial and executives, of the government of the United States; the members of both houses of Congress, and their respective officers; all custom house officers, with the clerks; all post officers, and stage-drivers who are employed in the care and conveyance of the mail of the post office of the United States; all Ferrymen employed at any ferry on the post road; all inspectors of exports; all pilots, all mariners actually employed in the sea service of any citizen or merchant within the United States; and all persons who now are or may be hereafter exempted by the laws of the respective states, shall be and are hereby exempted from militia duty, notwithstanding their being above the age of eighteen and under the age of forty-five years.

III. And be it further enacted, That within one year after the passing of the Act, the militia of the respective states shall be arranged into divisions, brigades, regiments, battalions, and companies, as the legislature of each state shall direct; and each division, brigade, and regiment, shall be numbered at the formation thereof; and a record made of such numbers of the Adjutant-General's office in the state; and when in the field, or in serviced in the state, such division, brigade, and regiment shall, respectively, take rank according to their numbers, reckoning the first and lowest number highest in rank. That if the same be convenient, each brigade shall consist of four regiments; each regiment or two battalions; each battalion of five companies; each company of sixty-four privates. That the said militia shall be officered by the respective states, as follows: To each division on Major-General, with two Aids-de-camp, with the rank of major; to each brigade, one brigadier-major, with the rank of a major; to each company, one captain, one lieutenant, one ensign, four serjeants, four corporals, one drummer, and one fifer and bugler. That there shall be a regimental staff, to consist of one adjutant, and one quartermaster, to rank as lieutenants; one paymaster; one surgeon, and one surgeon's mate; one serjeant-major; one drum- major, and one fife-major.

IV. And be it further enacted, That out of the militia enrolled as is herein directed, there shall be formed for each battalion, as least one company of grenadiers, light infantry or riflemen; and that each division there shall be, at least, one company of artillery, and one troop of horse: There shall be to each company of artillery, one captain, two lieutenants, four serjeants, four corporals, six gunners, six bombardiers, one drummer, and one fifer. The officers to be armed with a sword or hanger, a fusee, bayonet and belt, with a cartridge box to contain twelve cartridges; and each private of matoss shall furnish themselves with good horses of at least fourteen hands and an half high, and to be armed with a sword and pair of pistols, the holsters of which to be covered with bearskin caps. Each dragoon to furnish himself with a serviceable horse, at least fourteen hands and an half high, a good saddle, bridle, mail-pillion and valise, holster, and a best plate and crupper, a pair of boots and spurs; a pair of pistols, a sabre, and a cartouchbox to contain twelve cartridges for pistols. That each company of artillery and troop of house shall be formed of volunteers from the brigade, at the discretion of the Commander in Chief of the State, not exceeding one company of each to a regiment, nor more in number than one eleventh part of the infantry, and shall be uniformly clothed in raiments, to be furnished at their expense, the colour and fashion to be determined by the Brigadier commanding the brigade to which they belong.

V. And be it further enacted, That each battalion and regiment shall be provided with the state and regimental colours by the Field-Officers, and each company with a drum and fife or bugle-horn, by the commissioned officers of the company, in such manner as the legislature of the respective States shall direct.

VI. And be it further enacted, That there shall be an adjutant general appointed in each state, whose duty it shall be to distribute all orders for the Commander in Chief of the State to the several corps; to attend all publick reviews, when the Commander in Chief of the State shall review the militia, or any part thereof; to obey all orders from him relative to carrying into execution, and perfecting, the system of military discipline established by this Act; to furnish blank forms of different returns that may be required; and to explain the principles of which they should be made; to receive from the several officers of the different corps throughout the state, returns of the militia under their command, reporting the actual situation of their arms, accoutrements, and ammunition, their delinquencies, and every other thing which relates to the general advancement of good order and discipline: All which, the several officers of the division, brigades, regiments, and battalions are hereby required to make in the usual manner, so that the said adjutant general may be duly furnished therewith: From all which returns be shall make proper abstracts, and by the same annually before the Commander in Chief of the State.

VII. And be it further enacted, That the rules of discipline, approved and established by Congress, in their resolution of the twenty-ninth of March, 1779, shall be the rules of discipline so be observed by the militia throughout the United States, except such deviations from the said rules, as may be rendered necessary by the requisitions of the Act, or by some other unavoidable circumstances. It shall be the duty of the Commanding Officer as every muster, whether by battalion, regiment, or single company, to cause the militia to be exercised and trained, agreeably to the said rules of said discipline.

VIII. And be it further enacted, That all commissioned officers shall take rank according to the date of their commissions; and when two of the same grade bear an equal date, then their rank to be determined by lots, to be drawn by them before the Commanding officers of the brigade, regiment, battalion, company or detachment.

IX. And be it further enacted That if any person whether officer or solder, belonging to the militia of any state, and called out into the service of the United States, be wounded or disabled, while in actual service, he shall be taken care of an provided for at the publick expense.

X. And be it further enacted, That it shall be the duty of the brigade inspector, to attend the regimental and battalion meeting of the militia composing their several brigades, during the time of their being under arms, to inspect their arms, ammunition and accoutrements; superintend their exercise and maneuvres and introduce the system of military discipline before described, throughout the brigade, agreeable to law, and such orders as they shall from time to time receive from the commander in Chief of the State; to make returns to the adjutant general of the state at least once in every year, of the militia of the brigade to which he belongs, reporting therein the actual situation of the arms, accoutrement, and ammunition, of the several corps, and every other thing which, in his judgment, may relate to their government and general advancement of good order and military disciple; an adjutant general shall make a return of all militia of the state, to the Commander in Chief of the said state, and a duplicate of the same to the president of the United States.

And whereas sundry corps of artillery, cavalry and infantry now exist in several of the said states, which by the laws, customs, or usages thereof, have not been incorporated with, or subject to the general regulation of the militia.

XI. Be it enacted, That such corps retain their accustomed privileges subject, nevertheless, to all other duties required by this Act, in like manner with the other militias.

[Act of February 28, 1795, made small revisions in Sections 2, 4, 5, and 10 of Act of May 2, 1792. The 1795 act was the authority for ruling in Houston v. Moore, 1820. Other revisions were enacted April 18, 1814]

Sec. 2. And be it further enacted, That whenever the laws of the United States shall be opposed or the execution thereof obstructed, in any state, by combinations too powerful to be suppressed by the ordinary course of judicial proceedings, or by the powers vested in the marshals by this act, [words requiring notification by an associate justice or district judge were omitted in 1795 revision. The revision gave the President more authority] the same being notified to the President of the United States, by an associate justice or the district judge, it shall be lawful for the President of the United States to call forth the militia of such state to suppress such combinations, and to cause the laws to be duly executed. And if the militia of a state, where such combinations may happen, shall refuse, or be insufficient to suppress the same, it shall be lawful for the President, if the legislature of the United States be not in session, to call forth and employ such numbers of the militia of any other state or states most convenient thereto, as may be necessary, and the use of militia, so to be called forth, may be continued, if necessary, until the expiration of thirty days after the commencement of the ensuing session.

 

[Jeff White]

Sec. 4. And be it further enacted, That the militia employed in the service of the United States, shall receive the same pay and allowances, as the troops of the United States, [omitted in 1795: "who may be in service at the same time, or who were last in service, and shall be subject to the same rules and articles of war"]: And that no officer, non-commissioned officer or private of the militia shall be compelled to serve more than three months in any one year, nor more than in due rotation with every other able-bodied man of the same rank in the battalion to which be belongs.

Sec. 5. And be it further enacted, That every officer, non-commissioned officer or private of the militia, who shall fail to obey the orders of the President of the United States in any of the cases before recited, shall forfeit a sum not exceeding one year's pay, and not less than one month's pay, to be determined and adjudged by a court martial; and such officers shall, moreover, be liable to be cashiered by sentence of a court martial: [words added in 1795:] and be incapacitated from holding a commission in the militia, for a term not exceeding twelve months, at the discretion of the said court: and such non-commissioned officers and privates shall be liable to be imprisoned by the like sentence, or failure of payment of the fines adjudged against them, for the space of one calendar month for every five dollars of such fine.

Sec. 10. [revised to read:] And be it further enacted, That the act, intitled "Act to provide for calling forth the militia, to execute the laws of Union, suppress insurrections, and repel invasions," passed the second day of May one thousand seven hundred and ninety-two, shall be, and the same is hereby repealed.

APPROVED, February 28, 1795.

The fact that the founders gave the president the power to call out the militia to suppress insurrections doesn't suggest to me that they thought of the militia as anything but a force that was available to the elected authority.

The so-called modern militia movement has totally misread the history of the militia in the US. The militia has never in the history of the United States been a check on any political power.

Maxwell said;

Maybe nows the time for me to ask; If you and your buddies gather for war games on the weekend as an organized group, is that a militia or private army?

In my opinion that would be a private army. The militia is part of the government and unless it is organized and sanctioned under the laws of the state and under the command of the elected government it would be a private army.

So far as I understand this:
Those who want to can gather on their own time (freedom of assembly anyway) and train on their own dime. They do not need the governments permission to form, do not need a uniform, but they do not have the authority to launch an attack on their own and should fall under the governments direction when called. The government also retains the right to disband a militia(?).

More then half of the states have laws prohibiting private military or paramilitary training. There are provisions of the Patriot Act that would suggest that this could also be in violation of federal law.

Which leads me to ask if theres such a thing as a legitimate licensed milita still in existance?

Militias aren't licensed. They are formed and organized according to law. They belong to the government. The law, both state and federal outlines how the militia is organized, how officers are appointed and who they answer too. It is a government organization. According to current federal law, the National Guard is the organized militia and all citizens who are not members of the regular armed forces or the National Guard between 17 and 45 are members of the unorganized militia. The unorganized militia is addressed at the state level by the various laws pertaining to how it's organized. Several states have state guard or defense units that exist and drill. Any other organization would be a private army.

That pesky language about calling out the militia to suppress insurrections in all the laws from 1792 on certainly should put the popular notion expressed by many that the militia is a check on the elected government. they are there to suppress insurrection, not be the insurrection.

Jeff

 

[Maxwell]

A private army would be if someone paid me and a bunch of people to fight.
A militia is a volunteer group who chooses a leader, that then submits himself to the leadership of that state. So besides buying weapons and training, you cant march without the govenors say.

If anyone who collects weapons and studies combat is a private army to be attacked by the patriot act...

...These terrorists better watch their step!

Militias are temporary and sort of sound like a large social gun club by modern day standards. Its supposed to respond to a clear chain of command and be under the control of the state. Its not allowed a private agenda.
Its still the armed and trained citizens who hold the threat of revolution over their government. The militia is just an avenue by which we can serve the elected government in times of crises.

Sort of like the handle by which they can pickup a bag of scatterd toy soldiers and put them into play.

A "licensed militia"? The Militia Act doesn't say anything about licenses.

Ok, my first attempt was a bit clumsy, Ill try rephrase it.
If I should form a "militia" with my friends (in the consitutional sense, not NG and not a private army), exactly how does the state come to reckonize us as an official resource?

Do we just slide our business card across the table at the govenor?
"In emergencies dial 555-1234! have guns, will travel".

It seems they know how to relate to other volunteer groups that build houses or feed the homeless, but do they still organize with groups that provide security?

 

[bogie]

Now, I may be a little slow, but I'm sort of wondering what a "banned" weapon is?

 

[Jeff White]

Maxwell said;

A militia is a volunteer group who chooses a leader, that then submits himself to the leadership of that state. So besides buying weapons and training, you cant march without the govenors say.

No, there are laws that govern the militia who is in the militia, who can cal it up, how it is organized into units, how the leadership is selected. It is not a volunteer group that chooses it's own leaders. Most states have some form of a law like this one (from my state, Illinois):
http://www.ilga.gov/legislation/ilc...ame=EXECUTIVE+BRANCH&ActName=State+Guard+Act.

EXECUTIVE BRANCH
(20 ILCS 1815/) State Guard Act.

(20 ILCS 1815/0.01) (from Ch. 129, par. 228h)
Sec. 0.01. Short title. This Act may be cited as the State Guard Act.
(Source: P.A. 86‑1324.)

(20 ILCS 1815/1) (from Ch. 129, par. 229)
Sec. 1. For the purposes of this Act: "battalion," "company" or "squadron" means a battalion or company of infantry, or a squadron of the air force, of the Illinois State Guard, as the case may be;
"active service" and "active duty" mean services performed under the command of superior officers pursuant to an order of the Governor;
"officer" means any commissioned officer of the Illinois State Guard;
"warrant officer" means a band leader, whose rank is between that of a master sergeant and a second lieutenant of Infantry;
"enlisted man" means any member of the Illinois State Guard other than an officer or warrant officer;
"military service" used herein as a qualification for appointment of officers in the Illinois State Guard, or calculation of their active duty longevity pay, means military or naval service rendered in the organized militia, including National Guard of the United States or the National Guard or Naval Militia of any State, and in the Army of the United States, Officers' Reserve Corps, Navy, Marine Corps, or Coast Guard, or any reserves thereof.
(Source: Laws 1951, p. 1999.)

(20 ILCS 1815/2) (from Ch. 129, par. 230)
Sec. 2. Whenever the Governor as Commander‑in‑Chief of the military forces of the State, deems it necessary or advisable for the purpose of executing the laws of the State, or of preventing actual or threatened violation thereof, such as suppressing actual or threatened insurrection, invasion, tumult, riots, or mobs, or when the nation is at war and a requisition or order has been made, or is likely to be made, by the President of the United States calling the National Guard, or parts thereof, into the National service, or for any other emergency, the Governor may issue a proclamation or call for volunteer companies, battalions, regiments, brigades, or other units of land and air forces to be known as the Illinois State Guard which shall be formed and organized from the unorganized militia of the State, consisting of all able‑bodied citizens between the ages of 18 and 45 years, and of other able‑bodied citizens between the ages of 45 and 55 years, as enlisted personnel, and of commissioned officers and warrant officers, when made necessary by an emergency.
(Source: P.A. 85‑1241.)

(20 ILCS 1815/3) (from Ch. 129, par. 231)
Sec. 3. The Governor shall determine and fix in any such proclamation or call the number of volunteers, their term of enlistment, and the kind and number of units to be called for and organized, and he shall appoint and authorize officers to recruit volunteers under such regulations as shall be fixed and promulgated by The Adjutant General, Chief of Staff, with the approval of the Governor: Provided, that no term of original enlistment shall be longer than two years, and re‑enlistments shall be for terms of one year. Any and all units may be disbanded or mustered out, and any or all volunteers discharged, when in the judgment of the Governor the emergency or the conditions making such organizations necessary or advisable have passed or changed.
(Source: Laws 1951, p. 1999.)

(20 ILCS 1815/4) (from Ch. 129, par. 232)
Sec. 4. The Illinois State Guard shall consist of the regularly enlisted citizens between the ages of eighteen and fifty‑five years, and of commissioned officers and warrant officers between the ages of twenty‑one and sixty‑four years, organized, armed and equipped as prescribed by such rules and regulations, Tables of Organization, and Tables of Equipment, as may be from time to time promulgated by The Adjutant General, and approved by the Governor, which shall conform to any existing regulations prescribed by the Secretary of Defense of the United States.
(Source: P.A. 81‑257.)

(20 ILCS 1815/5) (from Ch. 129, par. 233)
Sec. 5. The Governor may alter, divide, annex, consolidate, disband or reorganize any organization, staff, department or corps of the Illinois State Guard and create new organizations, staffs, departments or corps, whenever in his judgment the efficiency of the Illinois State Guard will be thereby increased, and he may change the organization, staff, department or corps so as to conform to any organized system of drill or instruction now or hereafter adopted by the Army of the United States or prescribed by the laws of these United States for the government of the militia and for that purpose the number of officers or non‑commissioned officers in any grade or any organization, staff, department or corps may be increased or diminished and the grades of such officers and non‑commissioned officers may be altered to secure such conformity. Officers rendered surplus by the disbandment of their organization shall be transferred to existing vacancies in other available units, or, if there are no vacancies in other available units, the resignations of such officers may be accepted or they may be discharged.
(Source: Laws 1951, p. 1999.)

(20 ILCS 1815/6) (from Ch. 129, par. 234)
Sec. 6. The Governor may requisition from the War Department of the United States such arms and equipment as may be available for use of the Illinois State Guard, and such other uniforms, arms and equipment as may hereafter be authorized by the Congress of the United States to be made available to the Illinois State Guard. The Governor may make available for the use of the Illinois State Guard such uniforms, arms and equipment as may be owned by the State or as may be in possession of the State for the purpose of such use.
(Source: Laws 1951, p. 1999.)

(20 ILCS 1815/7) (from Ch. 129, par. 235)
Sec. 7. The expense of the organization, equipment and maintenance of the Illinois State Guard shall be borne by the State.
(Source: Laws 1951, p. 1999.)

(20 ILCS 1815/8) (from Ch. 129, par. 236)
Sec. 8. The uniforms, arms and other equipment of the Illinois State Guard, the minimum number of meetings per calendar year, for instruction, drill and training of the various units thereof, the character of such instruction and training, and all other matters and things necessary or desirable for the complete organization, equipment, discipline, efficiency, and maintenance, of the Illinois State Guard, not otherwise provided for, shall be prescribed and carried into effect by regulations promulgated by The Adjutant General, Chief of Staff, and approved by the Governor, which shall conform to any existing regulations prescribed by the Secretary of War of the United States.
(Source: Laws 1951, p. 1999.)

(20 ILCS 1815/9) (from Ch. 129, par. 237)
Sec. 9. The Governor shall make all appointments to commissioned and warrant officer rank in the Illinois State Guard. Commissions or warrants evidencing appointments or promotions shall be signed by the Governor and attested and issued by The Adjutant General, Chief of Staff. Commissions to officers shall read to a certain grade in a designated regiment, separate battalion, staff, corps, department or other unit. Assignment to duty in any headquarters, staff or unit shall be by order of the Governor. The validity of all commissions and warrants shall be subject to acceptance and the execution of the following oath of office: "I do solemnly swear (or affirm) that I will bear true allegiance to the United States and to the State of Illinois; that I will support the constitutions and laws thereof and serve them faithfully; that I will obey the orders of the Commander‑in‑chief and of such officers as may be placed over me, and the laws, rules, and regulations of the Illinois State Guard. So help me God."
(Source: Laws 1951, p. 1999.)

(20 ILCS 1815/10) (from Ch. 129, par. 238)
Sec. 10. Commissioned officers and warrant officers shall be between twenty‑one and sixty‑four years of age.
(Source: Laws 1951, p. 1999.)

(20 ILCS 1815/11) (from Ch. 129, par. 239)
Sec. 11. Any organization commander of the Illinois State Guard having under his command an officer who, in his opinion, is undesirable as an officer, because of his moral character, incapacity, or general unfitness for service, or for any material reason, may recommend to The Adjutant General that such officer be ordered before a board of officers for investigation. Such recommendations shall fully and clearly state the facts and reasons on which such opinion of undesirability is based.
(Source: Laws 1951, p. 1999.)

(20 ILCS 1815/12) (from Ch. 129, par. 240)
Sec. 12. Whenever a recommendation is made pursuant to the provisions of Section 11 and such recommendation is approved by superior commanders, an efficiency board may be convened by The Adjutant General, to consist of not less than three nor more than five officers, at least one of whom shall be a medical officer, to examine into the matter of such recommendation, and report its findings and recommendations to the Governor, through The Adjutant General. If the efficiency board finds such officer to be undesirable and such findings and recommendations are approved by the Governor, then the commission of such officer shall be vacated by discharge by The Adjutant General.
(Source: Laws 1951, p. 1999.)

(20 ILCS 1815/13) (from Ch. 129, par. 241)
Sec. 13. Any commissioned officer or warrant officer, who shall have a combined total service of ten years (including service as an enlisted man), active and inactive in the Army of the United States, Navy, Marine Corps, or Coast Guard, or any reserves thereof, Officers' Reserve Corps, Organized Reserves, Enlisted Reserve Corps, Organized Militia, including the National Guard of the United States or the National Guard or Naval Militia of any State, or in one or more or in all of such services, may, upon his own request, be placed on the retired list and he shall be retired with the rank next higher than that held by him at the time of his retirement.
(Source: Laws 1951, p. 1999.)

(20 ILCS 1815/14) (from Ch. 129, par. 242)
Sec. 14. Commissioned officers or warrant officers of the Illinois State Guard shall be retired from active service and placed on the retired list in their grade at time of retirement upon reaching the age of sixty‑four years.
(Source: Laws 1951, p. 1999.)

(20 ILCS 1815/15) (from Ch. 129, par. 243)
Sec. 15. A retired officer or warrant officer, of the Illinois National Guard, Naval Militia or Reserve Militia, or the United States Army, Navy, Marine Corps or Coast Guard, is eligible to enter or re‑enter active service in the Illinois State Guard subject to the same rules as to appointment, as provided for other officers, or warrant officers, and when so entering or re‑entering the service shall take the rank pertaining to the office to which he is at that time appointed. Time served on the retired list, however, shall not be used in computing length of service for qualification for longevity pay.
(Source: Laws 1951, p. 1999.)

(20 ILCS 1815/16) (from Ch. 129, par. 244)
Sec. 16. Any officer or warrant officer, becoming disabled from wounds, injuries or illness, so as to prevent him from active service thereafter, shall, on recommendation of a retirement board of three officers, two of whom shall be medical officers, be placed upon the retired list in his grade at time of retirement.
(Source: Laws 1951, p. 1999.)

(20 ILCS 1815/17) (from Ch. 129, par. 245)
Sec. 17. Except where otherwise specified in this Act, all officers and warrant officers shall hold their respective offices until they are vacated by death, resignation, discharge, retirement, physical disability, or by acceptance of another commission in the State military service or by sentence of a General Court Martial, or findings of a board of officers. No officer below the grade of lieutenant colonel shall be permitted to remain in service longer than two years without physical re‑examination. Any commander having reason to believe that an officer or warrant officer of his command has become physically unfit for duty may require such officer to take a physical re‑examination; provided that no officer or warrant officer may be required to take a physical re‑examination oftener than once a year.
(Source: Laws 1951, p. 1999.)

(20 ILCS 1815/18) (from Ch. 129, par. 246)
Sec. 18. Any officer, warrant officer, or enlisted man of the Illinois State Guard, who wilfully absents himself without leave from five regular drills or other formations of his organization within a period of sixty days, is guilty of desertion and may be discharged without honor, upon written recommendation of the organization commander.
(Source: Laws 1951, p. 1999.)

(20 ILCS 1815/19) (from Ch. 129, par. 247)
Sec. 19. If an officer or warrant officer of the Illinois State Guard is convicted of a felony or breach of the peace, his appointment and commission will be vacated by his being discharged without honor by The Adjutant General.
(Source: Laws 1951, p. 1999.)

(20 ILCS 1815/20) (from Ch. 129, par. 248)
Sec. 20. No officer of the Illinois State Guard shall leave the State without written authority of The Adjutant General.
(Source: Laws 1951, p. 1999.)

(20 ILCS 1815/21) (from Ch. 129, par. 249)
Sec. 21. Enlisted men of the Illinois State Guard shall be of good moral character and in good physical condition. The detailed physical requirements shall be as prescribed by The Adjutant General. No minor shall be enlisted without the written consent of his parents or guardian; or, if he has no parent or guardian, without the written consent of a judge of the circuit court in the county in which he resides.
(Source: P.A. 79‑1359.)

(20 ILCS 1815/22) (from Ch. 129, par. 250)
Sec. 22. Anyone dishonorably discharged from any military or naval organization of this State, or of the United States, or of any state, territory or district of the United States, shall not be eligible for enlistment or re‑enlistment, unless the dishonorable discharge has been revoked by competent authority.
(Source: Laws 1951, p. 1999.)

(20 ILCS 1815/23) (from Ch. 129, par. 251)
Sec. 23. Anyone who has been convicted and sentenced to serve time as a prisoner in a penitentiary shall not be eligible for enlistment or reenlistment.
(Source: Laws 1951, p. 1999.)

(20 ILCS 1815/24) (from Ch. 129, par. 252)
Sec. 24. Any person enlisting, or reenlisting, in the Illinois State Guard shall sign an enlistment paper in the form prescribed by The Adjutant General, and shall take the following oath or affirmation, which may be administered by any duly appointed recruiting officer or any commissioned officer in the Illinois State Guard: "I do solemnly swear (or affirm) that I will bear true allegiance to the United States and to the State of Illinois; that I will support the constitutions and laws thereof, and serve them faithfully; that I will obey orders of the Commander‑in‑Chief and of such officers as may be placed over me, and the laws, rules and regulations of the Illinois State Guard, so help me God."
(Source: Laws 1951, p. 1999.)

(20 ILCS 1815/25) (from Ch. 129, par. 253)
Sec. 25. Each enlisted man leaving the service for any authorized reason shall immediately receive a formal discharge certificate signed by the commander of the regiment or independent battalion to which he belongs, or if attached to the staff of a general officer, then by that officer.
Discharges from service shall be given to an enlisted man for the following reasons: (1) Expiration of term of service; (2) written application for good and sufficient reasons, approved by the unit and regimental commanders; (3) sentence of a court martial, approved by the officer convening the court; (4) conviction of a felony by a civil court; (5) absence without leave from five consecutive drills; (6) inefficiency or neglect of duty; (7) disobedience, or disrespect to an officer or a non‑commissioned officer; (8) physical disability not incurred in line of duty; or (9) induction into Federal military service.
(Source: Laws 1951, p. 1999.)

 

[Jeff White]

(20 ILCS 1815/26) (from Ch. 129, par. 254)
Sec. 26. Discharges shall be either "honorable", "dishonorable" or "without honor".
a. An honorable discharge shall be given to an enlisted man whose service has been loyal, honest and faithful, and to whom a character grade of "good", or better, has been given by his immediate commanding officer.
b. A dishonorable discharge shall be given to an enlisted man sentenced by a general court martial, or convicted of a felony by a civil court.
c. A discharge without honor (blue) shall be given to an enlisted man whose service has not been loyal, honest and faithful, and to one who has been disobedient of proper orders, or disrespectful to an officer or non‑commissioned officer; has been intoxicated while on duty or in uniform; has been absent without leave from five consecutive drills; or has deserted his guard post while on active duty. The initial application from the immediate commanding officer for discharge without honor shall cite the facts and reasons as to why such discharge should be given, and shall contain a recommendation that the discharge certificate carry the notation, "character, poor, not recommended for reenlistment".
(Source: Laws 1951, p. 1999.)

(20 ILCS 1815/27) (from Ch. 129, par. 255)
Sec. 27. The uniforms of the Illinois State Guard shall be as prescribed by The Adjutant General, approved by the Governor. They shall be clearly distinguished by the letters, "ILL" and the State insignia to be worn as directed by The Adjutant General.
(Source: Laws 1951, p. 1999.)

(20 ILCS 1815/28) (from Ch. 129, par. 256)
Sec. 28. (a) No uniforms, arms, equipment or other articles of public property may be loaned or issued to any one for other than military purposes.
(b) All uniforms and equipment issued members of the Illinois State Guard (officers and enlisted men) are the property of the State or Federal Government; provided, that an officer who retires pursuant to Section 13, and has served not less than one (1) year may retain uniforms and other wearing apparel without being required to return or account for them. Guard uniforms for officers or enlisted men cannot be purchased by the individual.
(Source: Laws 1951, p. 1999.)

(20 ILCS 1815/29) (from Ch. 129, par. 257)
Sec. 29. The Adjutant General shall require that a bond in the amount of $1,500.00 payable to the People of the State of Illinois be given by each officer accountable for public property with a surety company authorized to do business in this State as surety for the proper care and use of the property as provided herein or by supplemental orders as issued by The Adjutant General, and for its return upon demand of competent authority in good order and condition, ordinary wear and tear and unavoidable loss excepted, subject to the recommendations of a surveying officer, approved by The Adjutant General. The cost of such bonds shall be paid by the State.
(Source: Laws 1951, p. 1999.)

(20 ILCS 1815/30) (from Ch. 129, par. 258)
Sec. 30. All officers to whom military property of the State or of the United States may be intrusted shall be pecuniarily responsible therefor.
(Source: Laws 1951, p. 1999.)

(20 ILCS 1815/31) (from Ch. 129, par. 259)
Sec. 31. Articles of clothing, equipment or other property issued to officers or enlisted men and not accounted for shall be charged against the person accountable at the official cost price, unless he is relieved of responsibility therefor by a board of survey or survey officer.
(Source: Laws 1951, p. 1999.)

(20 ILCS 1815/32) (from Ch. 129, par. 260)
Sec. 32. A survey shall be ordered to determine the responsibility for any loss or damage of public property, and no officer shall be relieved either from accountability or responsibility for such property, except on the recommendation of a disinterested surveying officer or board of officers, duly detailed by The Adjutant General to investigate such loss or damage.
All property or stores found unserviceable by such survey shall be disposed of by shipping to The Adjutant General, State Armory, Springfield, Illinois, or as otherwise directed by him.
(Source: Laws 1951, p. 1999.)

(20 ILCS 1815/33) (from Ch. 129, par. 261)
Sec. 33. No Illinois State Guard organization shall be maintained by the State at any station, city, village or town unless there is available a suitable hall for drills, together with necessary and adequate company assembly rooms, store, locker and other rooms as may be required by The Adjutant General.
(Source: Laws 1951, p. 1999.)

(20 ILCS 1815/34) (from Ch. 129, par. 262)
Sec. 34. The armory of each regiment, battalion, or company, shall be subject to the order of The Adjutant General and be under the charge of the Senior Line Officer of that station, who shall keep therein all property furnished by the State and the Federal Government. No company shall be furnished with arms or equipment until a suitable armory has been provided.
(Source: Laws 1951, p. 1999.)

(20 ILCS 1815/35) (from Ch. 129, par. 263)
Sec. 35. All target ranges belonging to or leased by the State shall be administered by The Adjutant General, Chief of Staff. Gallery ranges shall be maintained at all armories occupied by the Illinois State Guard.
(Source: Laws 1951, p. 1999.)

(20 ILCS 1815/36) (from Ch. 129, par. 264)
Sec. 36. Officers and enlisted men of the Illinois State Guard shall be, in the absence of a declaration of martial law, in strict subordination to civil authorities.
(Source: Laws 1951, p. 1999.)

(20 ILCS 1815/37) (from Ch. 129, par. 265)
Sec. 37. Whenever there is in any city, village, town or county a tumult, riot, mob or body of men acting together by force with attempt to commit a felony, or to offer violence to persons or property, or by force or violence to break or resist the laws of the state or when such tumult, riot or mob is threatened it shall be deemed that a time of public disorder and danger then exists, and the Governor may order such unit or units of the Illinois State Guard as he may deem necessary to aid the civil authorities in suppressing such violence and executing the law.
(Source: Laws 1951, p. 1999.)

(20 ILCS 1815/38) (from Ch. 129, par. 266)
Sec. 38. Whenever any unit of the Illinois State Guard shall be ordered out by the Governor in accordance with Section 37, the commanding officer thereof may arrest any person in view without process and hold him in custody until, by order of the Governor, such person shall be discharged from custody or delivered over to the civil authorities. The commanding officer may also use such force as he deems necessary to suppress riots, disperse mobs, restore peace and execute the law.
(Source: Laws 1951, p. 1999.)

(20 ILCS 1815/39) (from Ch. 129, par. 267)
Sec. 39. Orders from civil officers to any military commander shall be in writing and shall specify only the work to be done or result to be attained, and shall not include the method to be employed. The military officer commanding shall exercise his discretion and be the sole judge as to the means necessary.
(Source: Laws 1951, p. 1999.)

(20 ILCS 1815/40) (from Ch. 129, par. 268)
Sec. 40.
Whenever 12 or more persons, any of them armed with clubs or dangerous weapons, or 30 or more, armed or unarmed are unlawfully, riotously or tumultuously assembled in any city, village, or town, it shall be the duty of each of the municipal police officers, and of the sheriff of the county and his deputies, and of the commanding officer of such unit of the Illinois State Guard as may be present on duty, or any or either of them, to go among the persons so assembled, or as near them as safety will permit, and in the name of the State command them immediately to disperse; and if they do not obey, every person refusing to disperse shall be deemed guilty of a Class A misdemeanor of unlawful assembly;
and each such officer
having notice of such unlawful assembly and refusing or neglecting to do
his duty in relation thereto, as aforesaid, shall be guilty of a petty
offense.
When persons so unlawfully assembled neglect or refuse, on command, to disperse, it shall be the duty of the municipal, township or county authorities, or military authorities, or either of them, to forthwith suppress such assembly and disperse the persons composing it, in such manner as may be most expedient.
If in the efforts made to suppress such assembly, and to arrest and secure the persons composing it who neglect or refuse to disperse, though the number remaining be less than 12, any such persons, or any persons, present as spectators or otherwise, are killed or wounded, the peace officers, military officers or enlisted men, and persons acting with them or by their order, each and all of them, shall be held guiltless of any crime, and justified in law.
(Source: P. A. 77‑2830.)

(20 ILCS 1815/41) (from Ch. 129, par. 269)
Sec. 41. If any portion of the Illinois State Guard, or persons lawfully aiding them in the performance of any duty are assailed, assaulted, attacked, or in imminent danger thereof, the commanding officer of the Illinois State Guard may at once proceed to quell the attack and disperse the attacking parties, and take all other steps for the safety of his command that he deems necessary.
(Source: Laws 1951, p. 1999.)

(20 ILCS 1815/42) (from Ch. 129, par. 270)
Sec. 42. If any member of the Illinois State Guard in the performance of his military duty, or in pursuance thereof, and while acting in his capacity as a member of the Illinois State Guard, shall kill, wound, maim or injure any person, or shall cause, order or direct the killing, wounding, maiming or injuring of any person, or the injury, destruction or confiscation of any property, real or personal, it shall be the duty of the officer commanding the military force of which such member is a part, as soon as possible thereafter, to convene a board of inquiry to consist of not less than two nor more than five commissioned officers of the military force, who shall examine and inquire into the facts in connection with, or in relation to the act or acts to be inquired of, and take in writing the substance of the proof or evidence of the witnesses to, and participants in, such act or acts and transmit the same direct to The Adjutant General.
The officer commanding the military force may cause the arrest of any member of the Illinois State Guard, so killing, wounding, or injuring any person or persons, or of the officer, or the non‑commissioned, or warrant officer directly responsible therefor, by reason of orders given by him in the execution of his military duty, or otherwise, and hold him in arrest until he is surrendered to civil authorities.
(Source: Laws 1951, p. 1999.)

 

[Jeff White]

(20 ILCS 1815/43) (from Ch. 129, par. 271)
Sec. 43. If any member of the Illinois State Guard is prosecuted by civil or criminal action for any act performed or committed by him, or any acts caused, ordered or directed by him to be done or performed in furtherance of and while in the performance of his military duty, all the expense of the defense of such action, civil or criminal, including attorney's fees, witness fees for the defense, defendant's court costs, and all costs for transcripts or records and abstracts thereof on appeal by the defense, shall be paid by the State; provided, that the Attorney General shall be first consulted in regard to, and approve of, the selection of the attorney for the defense; and, that the Attorney General may assume the responsibility for the defense of such member and conduct it personally or by any one or more of his assistants.
(Source: Laws 1951, p. 1999.)

(20 ILCS 1815/44) (from Ch. 129, par. 272)
Sec. 44. The expense of such defense shall be paid by The Adjutant General, upon vouchers and bills approved by the Attorney General.
(Source: Laws 1951, p. 1999.)

(20 ILCS 1815/45) (from Ch. 129, par. 273)
Sec. 45. Every officer, and enlisted man of the Illinois State Guard shall be exempt from payment of road labor and head or poll tax of every description during the time he shall hold a commission as an officer, or be enrolled as an enlisted man therein. The uniforms, arms and equipment of every member of the Illinois State Guard shall be exempt from all suits, distresses, executions or sales for debts or payment of taxes.
(Source: P.A. 84‑1428.)

(20 ILCS 1815/46) (from Ch. 129, par. 274)
Sec. 46.
When in active service of the State, under orders of the Governor, officers and warrant officers of the Illinois State Guard except officers and warrant officers on permanent duty and receiving a regular salary, shall receive the same pay as provided by law for officers and warrant officers of the armed forces of the United States of like grade and longevity. However, no officer or warrant officer shall receive less than $25 per day for each day's service performed.
(Source: P. A. 77‑129.)

(20 ILCS 1815/47) (from Ch. 129, par. 275)
Sec. 47.
Enlisted men of the Illinois State Guard when in the active service of the State, under orders of the Governor, shall receive the same pay as provided by law for enlisted men of the armed forces of the United States of like grade and longevity. However, no enlisted man shall receive less than $25 per day for each day's service performed.
(Source: P. A. 77‑129.)

(20 ILCS 1815/48) (from Ch. 129, par. 276)
Sec. 48. Transportation, quarters and subsistence for all officers and men on active duty shall be furnished by the State.
(Source: Laws 1951, p. 1999.)

(20 ILCS 1815/49) (from Ch. 129, par. 277)
Sec. 49. Any officer or enlisted man of the Illinois State Guard who is wounded or sustains an accidental injury or contracts an illness arising out of and in the course of active duty, but not when the Illinois State Guard has been called into federal service, and while lawfully performing the same shall:
(a) Be entitled to necessary hospitalization, nursing service, and to be treated by a medical officer or licensed physician selected by The Adjutant General, and
(b) Is entitled to all privileges due him as a State employee under the "Workers' Compensation Act", approved July 9, 1951, as now or hereafter amended, and the "Workers' Occupational Diseases Act", approved July 9, 1951, as now or hereafter amended.
(Source: P.A. 81‑992.)

(20 ILCS 1815/50) (from Ch. 129, par. 278)
Sec. 50. A medical officer or physician who attends cases of injury or illness incurred in line of duty shall be entitled to such reasonable compensation in each case as the circumstances may warrant, as approved by The Adjutant General.
(Source: Laws 1951, p. 1999.)

(20 ILCS 1815/51) (from Ch. 129, par. 279)
Sec. 51. Necessary hospital charges shall be paid by the State on proper itemized invoices made in quadruplicate by the hospital authorities concerned, approved by the attending medical officer or physician and by The Adjutant General.
(Source: Laws 1951, p. 1999.)

(20 ILCS 1815/52) (from Ch. 129, par. 280)
Sec. 52. Every officer who knowingly enlists or musters into the Illinois State Guard any minor over the age of 18 years without the written consent of his parent or guardian or judge of the circuit court in the county in which the minor resides, or any minor under the age of 18 years, or any person who by law is disqualified to enlist, may be punished as a court martial shall direct.
(Source: P.A. 79‑1359.)

(20 ILCS 1815/53) (from Ch. 129, par. 281)
Sec. 53. Any officer, warrant officer, or enlisted man in the Illinois State Guard who knowingly makes any false certificate or return to any superior officer authorized to call for such certificate or return, as to the state of his command, or as to the quartermaster, subsistence or ordinance stores to it issued, or any officer who knowingly musters any officer, warrant officer, or enlisted man by other than his proper name, or who permits any officer, warrant officer, or enlisted man to substitute or sign another name than his own, or who enters the name of any man not duly or lawfully commissioned or enlisted in the muster or payroll of the State of Illinois, or who certifies falsely as to any actual duty performed or amounts due, or who in any other way makes or permits any false muster or return, or who, having drawn money from the State for public use, shall apply it or any part thereof to any use not duly authorized, may be punished as a court martial shall direct.
(Source: P.A. 80‑1495.)

(20 ILCS 1815/54) (from Ch. 129, par. 282)
Sec. 54. Any officer, warrant officer, or enlisted man who wilfully or through neglect suffers to be lost, spoiled or damaged, any quartermaster, subsistence or ordinance stores for which he is responsible or accountable, or who secretes, sells or pawns, or attempts to secrete, sell or pawn, any such stores or any other military property of the State, or by it issued, may be punished as a court martial shall direct.
(Source: P.A. 80‑1495.)

(20 ILCS 1815/55) (from Ch. 129, par. 283)
Sec. 55. Any officer, warrant officer, or enlisted man who behaves himself with disrespect toward his superior while in the line of his duty, may be punished as a court martial shall direct.
(Source: Laws 1951, p. 1999.)

(20 ILCS 1815/56) (from Ch. 129, par. 284)
Sec. 56. Any officer, warrant officer, or enlisted man, who on any pretense whatsoever strikes his superior or offers any violence against him, while his superior is in the execution of his office, or disobeys any lawful command of his superior, may be punished as a court martial shall direct.
(Source: Laws 1951, p. 1999.)

(20 ILCS 1815/57) (from Ch. 129, par. 285)
Sec. 57. Any officer, warrant officer, or enlisted man, not on leave of absence or furlough, who fails to report at any formation of his organization may be punished as a court martial shall direct.
(Source: Laws 1951, p. 1999.)

(20 ILCS 1815/58) (from Ch. 129, par. 286)
Sec. 58. Any officer, or warrant officer, who is guilty of conduct unbecoming an officer and a gentleman, may be punished as a court martial shall direct.
(Source: Laws 1951, p. 1999.)

(20 ILCS 1815/59) (from Ch. 129, par. 287)
Sec. 59. Any officer, warrant officer, or enlisted man who is guilty of any disorder or neglect or of other conduct prejudicial to good order and military discipline, whether mentioned or not in Section 53‑58, each inclusive, may be punished as a court martial shall direct.
(Source: Laws 1951, p. 1999.)

(20 ILCS 1815/60) (from Ch. 129, par. 288)
Sec. 60. Any officer, warrant officer, or enlisted man who wilfully fails or refuses to report with his organization or quits it without due authority, when it is called into the active service of the State, is guilty of desertion and may be punished as a court martial shall direct.
(Source: Laws 1951, p. 1999.)

(20 ILCS 1815/61) (from Ch. 129, par. 289)
Sec. 61. Where any of the above military offenses also constitutes a criminal offense under the civil laws of this State, the jurisdiction of a court martial over it shall in no event bar prosecution in the civil courts nor in any manner remove the offense or the offender from the jurisdiction of civil authorities. Offenses of officers or enlisted men other than the military offenses herein designated shall be subject exclusively to the jurisdiction of civil courts and civil authorities.
(Source: Laws 1951, p. 1999.)

(20 ILCS 1815/62) (from Ch. 129, par. 290)
Sec. 62. When an officer, warrant officer, or enlisted man is dishonorably discharged from the service, a copy of the dishonorable discharge certificate shall be mailed to the County Clerk of the county in which the officer, warrant officer, or enlisted man resides, to be recorded as a permanent record of that county.
(Source: Laws 1951, p. 1999.)

(20 ILCS 1815/63) (from Ch. 129, par. 291)
Sec. 63. Orders convening a general court martial shall be issued by The Adjutant General. Such orders shall name the members of the court, which shall consist of from five to thirteen commissioned officers.
(Source: Laws 1951, p. 1999.)

(20 ILCS 1815/64) (from Ch. 129, par. 292)
Sec. 64. Only a general court martial shall have jurisdiction to try a commissioned officer or a warrant officer of the Illinois State Guard. If avoidable, no officer shall be tried by officers inferior to him in rank, and in no event shall he be tried by officers inferior to him in rank belonging to his own regiment or separate battalion.
(Source: Laws 1951, p. 1999.)

(20 ILCS 1815/65) (from Ch. 129, par. 293)
Sec. 65. The commanding officer of the division, or any brigade, regiment, the Air Corps, or detached company or other independent organization or post, may appoint a summary court martial, consisting of one commissioned officer of his command, for the trial of enlisted men of his command.
(Source: Laws 1951, p. 1999.)

(20 ILCS 1815/66) (from Ch. 129, par. 294)
Sec. 66. A general court martial has authority and jurisdiction to try officers and enlisted men for any of the offenses enumerated in Sections 53 to 60, each inclusive.
Upon the conviction by a general court martial of any officer, warrant officer, or enlisted man of any of the offenses enumerated herein, the general court martial may recommend one or more of the following punishments: Dishonorable discharge, reduction of noncommissioned officers to the ranks, reprimand, fine not exceeding $100.00, imprisonment not exceeding thirty days in a military guard house or in the county jail of the county in which the immediate organization of the accused is permanently located, or both such fine and imprisonment.
(Source: Laws 1951, p. 1999.)

(20 ILCS 1815/67) (from Ch. 129, par. 295)
Sec. 67. Upon conviction by a general court martial of any officer or enlisted man for the offense of desertion, as defined in Section 60, the general court martial shall recommend dishonorable discharge from the service, or a fine of not exceeding $500.00 or imprisonment in a military guard house or in the county jail of the county in which the immediate organization of the accused is permanently located for not exceeding six months, or both such fine and imprisonment.
(Source: Laws 1951, p. 1999.)

(20 ILCS 1815/68) (from Ch. 129, par. 296)
Sec. 68. A summary court martial shall have authority and jurisdiction to try enlisted men for any offenses enumerated in Sections 53 to 59, each inclusive. The summary court martial may, upon conviction, recommend one or more of the following punishments: Reprimand, forfeiture of the whole or part of any active duty pay, fine not exceeding $25.00, or in default of payment after approval by The Adjutant General, imprisonment not exceeding twenty‑five days in a military guard house, or in the county jail of the county in which the immediate organization of the accused is permanently located.
(Source: Laws 1951, p. 1999.)

(20 ILCS 1815/69) (from Ch. 129, par. 297)
Sec. 69. All proceedings by courts martial shall be conducted in the same manner and by the same rules and methods of procedure, as nearly as may be, as are prescribed by court martial in the United States Army. In trials by general court martial the accused is entitled to be represented by counsel by him employed, or by a suitable officer of the Illinois State Guard, designated by the court, or detailed by the officer convening it, at the request of the accused.
(Source: Laws 1951, p. 1999.)

(20 ILCS 1815/70) (from Ch. 129, par. 298)
Sec. 70. All proceedings of general courts martial shall be forwarded to and receive approval of the Governor, before sentence shall go into effect. The Governor may remit, mitigate or commute such sentence.
(Source: Laws 1951, p. 1999.)

(20 ILCS 1815/71) (from Ch. 129, par. 299)
Sec. 71. Witnesses for the prosecution or defense may be summoned to attend by subpoena signed by the judge advocate. Any witness, duly summoned, who fails to appear and testify, may be arrested on warrant of the president of the court, directed to the sheriff, and treated as in like cases before circuit courts. The fees of all witnesses not in the military services of the State shall be the same as allowed in circuit courts in civil cases, and shall be added to the necessary expenses of the judge advocate and the court, by the president thereof.
(Source: P.A. 83‑341.)

(20 ILCS 1815/72) (from Ch. 129, par. 300)
Sec. 72. All or any fines assessed by general or summary courts martial may be charged against any active service pay or other credit due to the person so fined, so far as such credit suffices to pay the same, and any balance still due may be collected as provided by this Act.
(Source: Laws 1951, p. 1999.)

(20 ILCS 1815/73) (from Ch. 129, par. 301)
Sec. 73. Whenever the sentence of a general court martial includes a fine, and such sentence has been approved by the Governor, The Adjutant General shall issue a warrant for the collection of such fine, directed to the sheriff of the county wherein the person against whom such fine is imposed resides, and such officer shall collect such fine in the same manner as he is authorized to collect debts in civil suits, and he shall make return within twenty days after receiving the warrant, to The Adjutant General. In default of the payment of the fine, or if the officer executing the warrant certifies that there is no property of the defendant out of which to satisfy the warrant, The Adjutant General shall issue a warrant of commitment directed to such sheriff, who shall forthwith take the defendant to the county jail and make return thereof to The Adjutant General.
The warrant of commitment for such default shall specify the amount in dollars of the fine, and the defendant shall remain in the custody of the keeper or warden of the county jail the same number of days as there are dollars of the fine unpaid.
Warrants for the collection of fines imposed by summary courts, and warrants for commitment for non‑payment thereof, shall be issued by the officer appointing the summary court.
(Source: P.A. 79‑1359.)

(20 ILCS 1815/74) (from Ch. 129, par. 302)
Sec. 74. Whenever the sentence of a general court martial is or includes imprisonment in a county jail, and the sentence has been approved by the Governor, The Adjutant General shall issue a warrant of commitment, directed to the sheriff of the county wherein the defendant resides, who shall take the defendant to the county jail mentioned in the warrant and make return thereof to The Adjutant General.
All such warrants of commitment shall be accompanied by a copy of the finding of the court, as approved by the officer ordering the warrant, certified as a true copy by The Adjutant General, and shall be sufficient authority to the sheriff of the county to imprison the convicted person.
If the sentence is or includes imprisonment in a military guard house, it shall be executed by order of the officer approving the sentence.
(Source: Laws 1951, p. 1999.)

(20 ILCS 1815/75) (from Ch. 129, par. 303)
Sec. 75. Keepers and wardens of county jails shall receive and confine all military offenders, when delivered by the sheriff, under a warrant of commitment, for the term of sentence set forth in the commitment.
(Source: P.A. 79‑1359.)

(20 ILCS 1815/76) (from Ch. 129, par. 304)
Sec. 76. All fines levied and collected under the provisions of this Act shall be paid to the State Treasurer.
(Source: Laws 1951, p. 1999.)

(20 ILCS 1815/77) (from Ch. 129, par. 305)
Sec. 77. For each day's duty as a member of a general court martial or as a witness or a defendant under summons from the president or judge advocate of a court martial, officers and men shall be paid as provided in Sections 47 and 48.
(Source: Laws 1951, p. 1999.)

 

[Jeff White]

(20 ILCS 1815/78) (from Ch. 129, par. 306)
Sec. 78. Judge advocates of general courts martial and summary court officers are empowered to administer oaths to witnesses before such courts and to take such depositions as may be required for use in military trials. Such officers and all adjutants are empowered to take acknowledgments and oaths to affidavits pertaining to the loss or damage to property, to applications for discharge, and in general to any military or other documents otherwise requiring oaths and acknowledgments to be administered by civil officers. Such oaths, affidavits and acknowledgments shall have the same legal force and effect as if taken by a civil officer now authorized by law to take oaths and acknowledgments. Depositions of witnesses residing outside the State may be taken before any civil officer authorized by law to take them, upon reasonable notice given.
Oaths of office to any military officer in the service of this State may be administered by any commissioned officer of the Illinois State Guard.
The presiding officer or recorder of any military board duly appointed to conduct any investigation or survey, or an officer detailed for such purpose may likewise administer oaths to any witness attending to testify in the investigation.
(Source: Laws 1951, p. 1999.)

(20 ILCS 1815/79) (from Ch. 129, par. 307)
Sec. 79. A person who, either by himself or with another, wilfully deprives a member of the Illinois State Guard of his employment, or prevents his being employed by himself or another, or obstructs or annoys a member of the Illinois State Guard or his employer in respect of his trade, business or employment, because the member of the Illinois State Guard is such member, or dissuades any person from enlisting in the Illinois State Guard by threat of injury to him if he enlists, in respect of his employment, trade or business, is guilty of a petty offense.
(Source: P. A. 77‑2830.)

(20 ILCS 1815/80) (from Ch. 129, par. 308)
Sec. 80. It is the duty of the state's attorney of the county wherein any person is imprisoned in pursuance of a conviction under any provisions of this Act, to resist before the courts any application for habeas corpus prosecuted by such person.
(Source: P.A. 83‑346.)

(20 ILCS 1815/81) (from Ch. 129, par. 309)
Sec. 81. Nothing in this Act shall be construed as authorizing the Illinois State Guard, or any part thereof, to be called, ordered, or in any manner drafted, as such into the military service of the United States, but no individual member shall, by reason of his commission or enlistment in the Illinois State Guard, be exempt from Federal military service under any law of the United States.
(Source: Laws 1951, p. 1999.)

(20 ILCS 1815/82) (from Ch. 129, par. 310)
Sec. 82. "An Act to provide for the organization of reserve militia from the unorganized militia of the state", approved June 25, 1917, as amended, is repealed.
The repeal of such Act, however, shall not affect any rights existing thereunder at the time this Act takes effect, and the Illinois State Guard organized under such Act and the rules and regulations promulgated thereunder shall be continued subject to the provisions of this Act.
(Source: Laws 1951, p. 1999.)

As you can see, everything is already specified by law. Any military organization not covered by this law in Illinois would be considered a private army, not the militia. I think you'll find that most states have laws like this on the books, some of them dating back into the 1800s.

Jeff

 

[Jeff White]

Maxwell said;

If I should form a "militia" with my friends (in the consitutional sense, not NG and not a private army), exactly how does the state come to reckonize us as an official resource?

I would suggest that you do what many of the officers in the state militias did before the passing of the Dick Act which was the beginnings of the National Guard as we know it today. Donate a lot of money to the party, become politically connected and pals with the governor or adjutant general of the state you live in.

Jeff

 

[LoadAmmo]

a

 

[Jeff White]

Loadammo,
It depends on how the authorities look at a group of friends getting together, wearing camouflage and shooting guns. The right to peaceable assembly does not include gathering together as an unauthorized military unit and bearing arms.

Most states have some form of this law:
http://www.ilga.gov/legislation/ilc...qEnd=29000&ActName=Military+Code+of+Illinois.

(20 ILCS 1805/94) (from Ch. 129, par. 220.94)
Sec. 94. It is unlawful for any body of men or women, other than the regularly organized militia of this State, troops of the United States, Grand Army posts, camps of the Sons of Veterans or organizations of veterans of the Spanish‑American War, Philippine Insurrection, World War I, World War II, or any future wars, dedicated to the welfare of the State and nation, to associate themselves together as a military company or organization, to drill or parade with arms in this State, except as hereinafter authorized; but, by and with the consent of the Governor, independent regiments, battalions or companies, organized for the purpose of recreation or to acquire military knowledge that may better enable them to serve the State in time of public peril, if such should arise, may associate themselves together as a military body or organization and may drill or parade with arms in public in this State, and students of educational institutions, where military drill is a part of the course of instructions, may, with the consent of the Governor, drill and parade with arms in public under command of their military instructors. Nothing herein contained shall be construed so as to prevent benevolent or social organizations from wearing swords. All military organizations in and by this Section permitted to drill and parade with arms, shall, on occasions of public parade, be required to carry the United States flag in addition to any private ensign which they may carry. The consent herein specified may be withdrawn at the pleasure of the Governor.
(Source: Laws 1957, p. 2141.)

More then half of the states have legislation that was pushed by organizations like the Southern Poverty Law Center in the early 1980s during the big survivalist movement that prohibit paramilitary training and they are so poorly worded that you could twist almost any group shooting session to fit the definition of paramilitary training. I don't know that anyone has ever been prosecuted or even arrested for violating those laws, but they do exists. I do know that people have been prosecuted on the federal side for the violations of the Patriot Act provisions about providing training for terrorist organizations.

Laws permitting the government to regulate military training were upheld by the United States Supreme Court in Presser V. Illinois in 1886. You have the right to assemble and you have the right to keep and bear arms, but combine the two and you could be in trouble.

Jeff

 

[Graystar]

Anti's continually say the second ammendment is not an individual right. If that's so, can a group of people get together, form a "well trained trained militia" and own banned weapons?

The answer is no, there is absolutely no legally available recognition of any kind for a private militia as an organization. You would simply be a bunch of people.

By definition, the militia is the fighting force of a state, and is under the control of the state. It is of the people and controlled by the people, and it exist to provide service for the people.