Holy Cow!
This thread . . . just . . . man!
When I talked to the Minutemen, I asked why they weren't allowed to carry rifles. My point was that if you found yourself in trouble out in the middle of BFE -- or is that BFM -- you were knowingly placing yourself at a disadvantage. I asked why anyone would do that to himself.
They made it clear they are NOT there to engage. They are allowed sidearms only, as a defensive weapon only. They felt that a long gun would convey intent to engage at distance. They avoid actual personal contact with aliens. They observe and report. One of their guys, 'Vic', took pity on a guy they encountered and fed/watered him. 'Vic' was sent home for breaking the "no contact" rule.
They do their darndest to assist the overworked Border dudes, who (quietly) really appreciate that. If they get involved in shootouts, they know the political deck is stacked against them, so they go to great lengths to avoid anything of the sort.
I mentioned that a bunch of these guys are vets, what I forgot was that several of them are vets of much more current action: Desert Storm.
This isn't some rag-tag bunch of wannabe Rambos. Background checks. Interviews. If they even smell that you're likely to "get into it" with the illegals, you don't get to play.
Their entire activity is conducted according to High Road standards.
If I had the time and money, I'd participate actively, but I probably wouldn't go to the border -- despite years and years of desert experience: they won't permit rifles. And, in my book, given the level of exposure, that's just nuts.
It's possible, if they can establish a long enough track record of "being the good guys" that they might feel safe in adding rifles without worrying that they will immediately be seen as provocateurs.
You see bad press on these guys? You see video that makes them look stupid? You hear criticism from .gov sources? WHAT A SHOCK!
The press would NEVER criticize armed citizens carrying out a civic duty, would they?
This group is the very personification of the Second Amendment. They are, even without the name, a militia -- "well regulated" in the original sense of the term -- using their arms and their very persons to intercede on behalf of the nation's security.
You can expect the press to pick up on that Real Soon Now, and serious favorable reportage is right around the corner.
After all, the press is on our side.
