Free State Project not welcome in the "Free State" (MD)

[K-Romulus]

from today's WTOP DC-area news:

http://www.wtop.com/?sid=545575&nid=25

Guns, Explosives, Meth Lab Found in La Plata Home

LA PLATA, Md. (AP) - A cache of guns and explosives, a methamphetamine lab and literature from an anti-government group were found at the home of a La Plata man, police said.

Lawrence Fox, 23, was arrested Tuesday after co-workers at Belk Department Store in California, Md., said that he had a handgun on store property, according to charging documents in District Court in St. Mary's County. (note - MD handgun laws frown on this)

When police searched Fox's car, they found two handguns and almost 200 rounds of ammunition, a biochemical suit and a ski mask, according to Cpl. William Rosado, spokesman for the St. Mary's County Bureau of Criminal Investigation.

A raid Tuesday night on the La Plata town house where Fox lives with his mother netted more weapons and explosives as well as a small methamphetamine lab in his bathroom, Rosado said.

"As far as I can remember, we've never had anything like this with the meth lab, the explosive devices and the guns," Rosado said.

Other items confiscated included two grenades with the black powder and fuses to make them active, a gas mask, a hollowed-out fire extinguisher that could be used to make a pipe bomb, and a mortar, Rosado said.

Also uncovered in the raid were seven rifles, including a collapsible long rifle that could be concealed underneath baggy clothing, a SWAT-style sniper's rifle and two rifles with bayonets, said Cpl. Michael Gray of the Bureau of Criminal Investigation.

Rosado said there were more than 1,000 rounds of ammunition, including bullets that had been hollowed out and altered with ball bearings to make them capable of piercing armor.

Two military-issue bulletproof vests and a camouflaged Kevlar helmet also were found in the town house, authorities said.

Authorities also found what they describe as a "correspondence" between Fox and the Free State Project, an anti-government group that wants 20,000 people to move to New Hampshire to help oust the government there, according to its Web page.

(end)


Oh, no! Not the dreaded crime of voting people out of office!

 

[rock jock]

a methamphetamine lab

That's all I need to hear.

 

[DelayedReaction]

Yeah, I remember hearing about this on the news last night. I was concerned about what was going on until I heard about the meth lab.

I think the stuff on the Free State Project is just one reporter trying to sound as sensationalist possible.

 

[Marshall]

Free State Project

I think it's more than 1 reporters opinion.

The Free State Project is an agreement among 20,000 pro-liberty activists to move to New Hampshire, where they will exert the fullest practical effort toward the creation of a society in which the maximum role of government is the protection of life, liberty, and property. The success of the Project would likely entail reductions in taxation and regulation, reforms at all levels of government to expand individual rights and free markets, and a restoration of constitutional federalism, demonstrating the benefits of liberty to the rest of the nation and the world.

http://www.freestateproject.org/

 

[Marshall]

Oh yea, the meth stuff? Bookem Danno.

 

[The Freeholder]

Guys, you may be jumping too quickly on the "meth lab bandwagon". Unfortunately, the police do not always correctly identify such things. Case in point happened near here a few months ago. I blogged about it--you can read about it here if you'd like.

And just 200 rounds of ammo? The guy is seriously understocked....

(Edited to correct spelling)

 

[TheEgg]

including bullets that had been hollowed out and altered with ball bearings to make them capable of piercing armor.

***, over?

 

[anapex]

including bullets that had been hollowed out and altered with ball bearings to make them capable of piercing armor.

When I read that I immediately thought of Corbons Powrball.

 

[Mongo the Mutterer]

How do you hollow out a bullet using a ball bearing??

 

[Ian]

Here's another article on it. The most interesting detail?

Fox has been charged with two counts of a handgun violation in St. Mary's County. He was released on his own recognizance Wednesday night.

It also says that the raid Tuesday night found a "small" meth lab in his bathroom. Can you say "box of Sudafed"?

 

[Alex45ACP]

a SWAT-style sniper's rifle

Anyway, I don't see any crimes here.

 

[MrTuffPaws]

Why would the report mention the free project stuff in the guy's home other than to discredit it? Lord almighty, if they ever raid my house, they are going to have so many things to report about that the story will take up two full pages of the paper.

 

[DigitalWarrior]

Oh My

If they searched my home it would be far funnier.

This "Free State Project Officer" has an arsonal including assualt-style weapons, 10,000 bullets in his house, giant goldfish with laser-pointers taped to their heads (or the components to make them), and a vast library of dangerous anti-government literature, including: Mein Kampf, Unintended Consequences, Anarchist Cookbook, the Federalist Papers, and Hacking books.

A document declaring that the people should overthrow their government was nailed to his wall.

This domestic recusant was quoted as saying "Damn it! A framed copy of the Declaration of Independance is not anti-government literature." before being taken to an undisclosed location for questioning.

Oh well.

 

[Marnoot]

and two rifles with bayonets

Think of the mass carnage he could have caused with those bayonets!! I can only imagine what news pieces would say if my apartment was ever raided for some reason, and I'm just getting started on my collection compared to most of you. I'm only at 13 firearms (9 of which are C&R, 6 of which have eeevil bayonets), a couple hundred pounds of ammo, and reloading equipment. I would, no doubt, be described as a militia armory of some sort, regardless of my newbieness in the world of shooting/gun collecting:

"Earlier today in the Salt Lake valley, federal agents raided the apartment of a suspected gun nut. Authorities report they seized thirteen firearms including a military style assault weapon, several concealable assault-pistols (including .9 gauge and 22mm calibers), and 6 military rifles (with bayonets) that could all easily be converted to special forces style Sniper Weapons. Local anti-violence advocate Jane Blissninny stated, 'The thought of that many bayonets in my neighborhood just chills me to the bone! What if they had gotten out of that evil man's apartment? There would have been mass bayonettings! Won't somebody please think of the children!!' It is speculated by the Brady Campaign to Prevent Gun Violence that this armory served as a weapons depot for such groups as the anarchist movement, communist militants, fascist militants, earth liberation front, and the pave the whales front. Authorities are breathing a sigh of relief that this cache has been taken out of their hands."

 

[Zundfolge]

...an anti-government group that wants 20,000 people to move to New Hampshire to help oust the government there

Ah ... classic ... now voting people out of office is an act of political terrorism.


So that voter registration card in your wallet is nothing more then a terrorist identification card.

In other news the Patriot act was extended ... so we're one step closer to death camps

 

[jefnvk]

Still can't quite figure out this Free State thing. How some people can support it, while simeautaneously griping about how Californians are overspilling their boundaries, and getting local areas all messed up with their power.

Guess I am just a fan of changing your own home, not someone elses.

 

[DigitalWarrior]

Jefnvk,
I might be able to clear things up a bit for you on the point you mentioned. We actually are not out to "take over" or "oust" or what-have-you any government. We are telling Liberty-Loving people that New Hampshire is a nifty place to live if you are into that sort of thing. Residents of New Hampshire already believe that small gov't is good gov't. NH is the ONLY state that turns down federal highway money, rather than tell its citizens that "mommy says to wear your seat-belt, or you can't play"

I guess you could say that I am a granite-hearted Hamster who was born in Pennsylvania, and is now in California. I will be going home soon.

-DW

 

[KLR]

jefnvk-

Very well said.

 

[DigitalWarrior]

Klr

I am now in California.

The people here genuinely desire to be controlled. Not only can I be fined for not wearing a seatbelt, I will be arrested if I try to buy a regular capacity magazine for a Browning Hi-Power Practical. I may not buy an AR-15. This is the will of my neighbors, and they will not be swayed by my argument, however articulate and well-reasoned it may be.

My neighbors want to take my money and restrict my liberties. So I will fire them as neighbors and find better ones. In general I like the way they do things in NH, and think we will get along just fine. I loved the legislature's response to a stop-light camera bill that was submitted... "derisive laughter" according to the Associated Press.

I really believe that I am not home in California. I yearn for snow a yard deep. I yearn for a population that elects no-tax governors. Where the constitution guarantees my right to self-defense, and the state congress critters are paid $200 a year.

As far as my fellow Free Staters. I cannot speak for them all, but many individuals want specifically not to tell people in other states how to live because they are Constitutionalists, Federalists, Anarchists, etc.

 

[KLR]

DigitalWarrior:

In general I like the way they do things in NH

You have to understand that people in NH also like how they do things. Granite Staters will resent people moving to NH for the reasons listed in the Free State Project mission statement just as much as they resent Massachusetts residents moving there and changing things. Mass residents have a tendency to move to the North Country for the (relatively) tax-free living and start demanding stuff like trash collection and paved roads. You take your stuff to the dump and drive on dirt roads up there.

Granite Staters generally like how things are now. No sales tax and no income tax. Most revenue comes from property taxes (decided by the municipality), taxes on alcohol, cigarettes, and gasoline. We also have the state liquor stores. The important thing to remember is that the municipality decides how much to tax and how to spend it. You want excellent schools and police protection? Fine- expect to pay for it. One thing that is sure to engender backlash is an infusion of people into a place trying to change the status quo.

If NH, like Maine has huge swaths of unincorporated territory, I would say set up a community of your own. I am unaware of any such territory in my home state, but that is not to say that it doesn't exist.

I predict bad things if the Free State Project ever comes to fruition.

Individual refugees- no problem. 20K with an agenda is not going to go over well.

 

[DigitalWarrior]

KLR I am sincerely interested in your impressions of the Free State Project, being a NH native yourself. This could be very educational for me, and if you decide to take the time to answer my questions, you have my deepest thanks.

You had said that Granite Staters will resent people moving to NH for the reasons listed in the Free State Project mission statement. What things do you think would upset them? To me our mission is in support of the style of government you describe. If it is nothing that we say specifically or overtly, what negative impressions give you the idea that bad things may come down the pipe? Often the impressions we give are as important as the things we say.

If you would like, we can continue this in Private messages so as to not thread-hijack any longer.

 

[KLR]

DigitalWarrior:

Either PM or the thread works. I do, however, think we are kind of in keeping with the general direction of the thread.

This may be an imperfect analogy so bear with me:

If I understand it correctly, the CA govt has banned "assault weapons" but graciously allows you to own handguns. Let's assume a sufficient number of people were to move to CA who believed that handguns should be banned but assault weapons would be okay. Their goal would be to ban handguns and undo the ban on AWs. Yeah, I have come up with better analogies.

Given NH's independent spirit, coming in to change things i.e. the tax structure will be viewed with suspicion. Less regulation, not so sure about that one. Now, given the fact that the project is not looking to "take over" a town, it might not have the same backlash as people moving to the state.

Again, the infusion of people believing in NH's way of life could be a good thing. But (yes, I have "but" face right now) I think any city/state/whatever with a highly independent spirit is going to look askance at a stated intention of making large changes such as cutting govt. by a third.

One thing to keep in mind: In NH, while Republicans do outnumber Democrats, it is the independent voter who usually makes the difference. Something like 40%R, 30%D, 30%I.

 

[Standing Wolf]

The people here genuinely desire to be controlled.

They probably think they're doing the controlling, and everybody else is being controlled.

 

[AK-74me]

here is my local tabloid's reporting of the same story:

LEONARDTOWN --- A combined action on the part of the Maryland State Police, the St. Mary's Sheriff's Dept.; the Charles Sheriff's Dept. and the DEA shut down a meth lab and rounded up an arsenal of weapons. Police report that On 7/18/05, after information was received from concerned citizens; the St. Mary’s County Bureau of Criminal Investigations conducted an investigation in reference to weapons/explosive violations. Further investigation conducted by BCI revealed that Lawrence Fox (23) of La Plata, Charles County Maryland, may be in possession of numerous firearms and bomb making materials. On 7/19/05 additional information was received that Fox had the knowledge and ability to manufacture explosive devices. A search warrant was executed on Fox’s vehicle (1995 Infiniti) in St. Mary’s County Maryland and at his residence located in La Plata Maryland. The search warrant was executed by BCI with the assistance of the Maryland State Police S.T.A.T.E team. The search warrants led to the discovery of handguns, high power rifles, large quantity of ammunition, armor piercing ammunition, numerous manuals on how to manufacture explosive devices, Kevlar vest/helmets and bomb making paraphernalia. With the assistance of the FBI and DEA a methamphetamine lab was identified at the residence. Fox was charged in St. Mary’s County with a handgun violation. Charges are pending in Charles County pending review with the States Attorneys office and Federal Authorities. The St. Mary’s County Bureau of Criminal Investigations would like to thank the FBI, DEA-Metro Area Task Force group 39, ATF, Charles County Sheriff’s Office, La Plata Police Department, MSP La Plata, Charles County Hazardous Material Teams and all other agencies who assisted.

quoted from the St. Mary's Today

Only thing that needed to be reported here was the Meth lab.