Why do so many militias fail?

[expvideo]

Why is it that we can't seem to have a militia that is just a fun organization for us gun owners to be a part of where we can practice to defend the country if the need should arrise? I know that Michigan has had a lot of success, but out here in Washington State, every time somebody starts a militia, it only lasts a short time before it is taken over by white supremacists and everyone is arrested because either they were stockpiling hand grenades, or they were planning to blow up a government building. What the heck is up with that? Can't we just have an enjoyable time training ourselves to defend the country without becoming a subversive organization?

What can we do to change this? It seems that militias are pretty much dominated by white supremacists and psychotic radicals. It seems like whenever one is started, the main idea turns into "keeping the government in check", rather than the original uses of a militia, which were to assist the government in protecting the country.

I think it would be a lot of fun to start a militia more as a training tool than anything else, but also as a resource to the community, helping out during floods and other natural disasters, while training to defend the country should the need arrise. But I am affraid that if I were to be involved in something like that, there would inevitably be that one guy who thinks he needs to stockpile illegal machineguns and hand grenades, and then we'd all be arrested.

So ***? Is it impossible to form a group of firearms enthusiasts without ending up in jail because of some nutjob? Thoughts?

 

[Duke of Doubt]

Nobody in Carolyn Chute's Second Maine Militia ever got accused of those things. Other things, maybe.

Plenty of organizations devoted to shooting and survival manage to exist without the word "militia" in their name.

And plenty of said organizations are not public-oriented.

 

[expvideo]

Nobody in Carolyn Chute's Second Maine Militia ever got accused of those things. Other things, maybe.

Plenty of organizations devoted to shooting and survival manage to exist without the word "militia" in their name.

And plenty of said organizations are not public-oriented.

But I'm not talking about gun clubs, I'm talking about organizations whose primary objective is to train to be able to defend the country, should the need arrise, and to provide support to local government during natural disasters. As far as I know, an organization like that would be a militia.

Basically my gripe is that most militias that I have read about, specifically in Washtington State, start out with the best of intentions but always end up being anti-government.

 

[Ragnar Danneskjold]

Michigan has not had success with militias. The so called "Michigan Militia" is basically one of the groups you mentioned, a basically white supremacist anti-government group of crazies. That and it is most 50+year old fat guys.

Militias worked in the past because they were normal people utilizing skills they already had. Every of age male already knew how to shoot and hunt. That's what they did to survive. In modern times, those that want to be part of an organized fighting force just join the US military. The rest have no inclination to be fighters or soldiers, regardless of organization. So all of the able-bodied, sound mind types you'd want in a militia, are in the US Military. Those that aren't and want to join, tend to be fat, old or crazy. Usually all three. And the rest of gun owners don't want to be a part of either. expvideo, you're assuming there are a goodly number of gun owners that are physically and mentally capable, and willing, to be part of a non-US Military fighting force. I don't believe such people are out there in any substantial quantity. Those that posses those traits are already in the military, and the rest usually lack one of the 3 required traits. Those that are willing are usually out of shape or crazy. Those that are capable are not willing, hence them not joining the military already.

 

[Mot45acp]

Metal Militia?

 

[Oro]

I think it would be a lot of fun to start a militia more as a training tool than anything else, but also as a resource to the community, helping out during floods and other natural disasters, while training to defend the country should the need arrise.

Good idea, but you do know your state has a volunteer militia like this already, right?

It is called the WA State Guard and you can read about it here:

http://stateguard.washingtonguard.org/index.shtml

 

[Jeff White]

26 states have laws against private military organizations or paramilitary training or both. The Patriot Act has made it a crime to conduct training for or with people with ties to terrorist organizations.

To form a private armed group in the US in this day and age and conduct any kind of military training is folly. You'd have to have access to government data bases so you could be sure you didn't admit anyone with ties to a terrorist organization to keep from running afoul of the Patriot Act. Then you have the other state and local laws to contend with.

If you want to be a member of a military organization, the REAL US military is hiring. The Army is taking non-prior service to age 42 now. My son is on recruiting duty, PM me and I'll send you his number.....

 

[expvideo]

Militias worked in the past because they were normal people utilizing skills they already had. Every of age male already knew how to shoot and hunt. That's what they did to survive. In modern times, those that want to be part of an organized fighting force just join the US military. The rest have no inclination to be fighters or soldiers, regardless of organization. So all of the able-bodied, sound mind types you'd want in a militia, are in the US Military. Those that aren't and want to join, tend to be fat, old or crazy. Usually all three. And the rest of gun owners don't want to be a part of either.

That's exactly the impression that I had of what a modern "militia" is. I just think it would be nice to be able to have an organization that was involved in the community and trained with firearms. Kind of like a mix between a gun club, and a boy scouts for adults. But these things always seem to digress into anti-government groups full of the types you've described above.

 

[Titan6]

every time somebody starts a militia, it only lasts a short time before it is taken over by white supremacists and everyone is arrested because either they were stockpiling hand grenades, or they were planning to blow up a government building.

It seems that militias are pretty much dominated by white supremacists and psychotic radicals.

impossible to form a group of firearms enthusiasts without ending up in jail because of some nutjob?

I guess you know a lot more about it than I do.

 

[expvideo]

Good idea, but you do know your state has a volunteer militia like this already, right?

It is called the WA State Guard and you can read about it here:

http://stateguard.washingtonguard.org/index.shtml

I had no idea. I will have to look into this.

 

[Duke of Doubt]

I think there's a lot of truth to that. Mainers who want to train in combat and emergency preparedness generally join the Maine Army National Guard, which Maine Army National Guard has deployed several units overseas, some of them several times.

Then there's the Civil Air Patrol and the United States Coast Guard Reserve.

So many opportunities to defend your country, and that's assuming you don't just go in all the way and join active duty Army, as many around here do.

The militias are full of fatbodies, loonies and racists, by and large. They create a sort of secret identity for themselves to make up for their personal shortcomings. When the country is threatened, he'll duck into the closet and emerge as ... Constitution Man!

Which of course is a crock.

 

[Titan6]

http://www.angelfire.com/wa3/1mtn/index.html

http://www.angelfire.com/wa3/nwwr1/

From their website:

NATIONAL MILITIA STANDARDS
www.awrm.org
1.0 STATEMENT OF ETHICS
It is the duty of the citizen’s militia to protect and defend the unalienable Rights of
all members of the community. Under no circumstances will the militia of [state]
tolerate those who advocate acts of criminal violence, terrorism, racism or a change
away from our republican form of government; nor will it support any specific
political party or candidate, nor espouse any particular religious denomination or
doctrine. All members must understand the duties and obligation of both citizens and
government under the [Constitution].

Are you calling these guys liars? I ask because I do not know them.

 

[Titan6]

The militias are full of fatbodies, loonies and racists, by and large.

So how many militia members do you know?

 

[Duke of Doubt]

I'm guessing I just met another.

 

[expvideo]

Are you calling these guys liars? I ask because I do not know them.

Whoa! Cut the hostility, I'm not calling anybody anything. I'm just curious why so many militia organizations turn into a group of crazies and racists.

 

[Sato Ord]

My son and I are checking out the local Civil Air Patrol. It will be nice to find a good group that will take both of us where he can be with kids his own age, and the adults participate in the camaraderie rather than just drop the kids off until it's time to pick them up later.

I understand the militia idea. It would be a chance to train your body and mind, while sharing experiences with friends. The military is great, but I'm a little past my prime.

 

[Titan6]

Expvideo post #1

It seems that militias are pretty much dominated by white supremacists and psychotic radicals.

Expvideo Post #15

Cut the hostility, I'm not calling anybody anything.

Except for the people you are calling:

I'm just curious why so many militia organizations turn into a group of crazies and racists.

So except for the people you are calling crazy and racist you are not calling anyone anything.

 

[Titan6]

I'm guessing I just met another.

Another? so you know at least one?

 

[expvideo]

So except for the people you are calling crazy and racist you are not calling anyone anything.

Your point is a lot more moot than you think it is. Just go away.

 

[Ragnar Danneskjold]

You're gonna get the thread locked.

 

[LKB3rd]

They get infiltrated by troublemakers whose purpose is to destroy them from the inside.

 

[shotgunred]

the government hates competition.

not a militia but if you want some rifle training and American history rolled in to one check out appleseed.

http://appleseedinfo.org/smf/index.php

rifle training in Monroe this Saturday.

http://appleseedinfo.org/smf/index.php?topic=5301.0

 

[Duke of Doubt]

IBTL!

(my first)

 

[expvideo]

You know what, nevermind. I thought we could have an intelligent and mature conversation about this, but I was wrong. Can a moderator please lock this thread? It was a mistake to even mention the word "militia" on this forum.

 

[Old Fuff]

expvideo:

The malitia mentioned in the U.S. Constitution is called The Militia of the United States, and was originally created by a law signed by George Washington. As you can see it's still on the books today. If yor are a male citizen, or a person who intends to become a citizen, between the ages of 17 and 45, you most likely are a member of The Militia of the United States.

Congratulations.

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The militia of the United States


TITLE 10 > Subtitle A > PART I > CHAPTER 13 > § 311Prev | Next § 311. Militia: composition and classes

(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.