Associated Press
May 17, 2001 2:27am
Militia Gathers in Missouri
The scene was patriotic and enthusiastic yesterday on a farm west of Springfield Missouri where tens of thousands of armed Americans gathered in what has been called the largest militia muster since the Civil War. Estimates ranging from 40,000 to 70,000 men and women armed with everything from shotguns to assault rifles and representing at least 38 states have come here in a show of force. They are here in a sea of flags and banners dressed in camoflage and street clothes to protest the Gun Safety Act of 2001. The militia members, many of whom belong to no organized militia but seem simply to be outraged gunowners, object primarily to the licensing and registration requirements of the law. They call these provisions unconstitutional.
Militia members have expressed their determination that this Act before Congress shall not pass without their voices being heard. Dennis Ardor, a spokesman for the gathering said, "For far too long this Federal Government has trampled on the Constitution, the Second Amendment and the rights of the citizens of this country. We are here today from all over this nation to proclaim that this must stop here and now. We shall not stand by idly while we are disarmed."
Local and Federal authorities have watched in amazement as more and more protesters keep streaming in from all over the country. A small command center has been set up outside the farm and authorities are monitoring the situation but can do little else. The gathering had originally been termed a "shoot" where gun enthusiasts meet for a day or two to target shoot but has since mushroomed into something far larger.
However, local Sheriff Clyde Simpson has said that since the farm is private property and that target shooting on private property is not illegal, there is little he can do.
An FBI spokesman on the scene declined to comment on the legality of the meeting or if there will be a Federal response.
When told that Federal agencies where gathering outside the farm, Dennis Ardor said, "We are doing nothing illegal but if they want our guns and our freedom, they can come and get em."
When asked what their plans were, militia leaders stated that they will continue with their plans to target shoot for the upcoming week and send a strong message to Washington DC that they will not go away whether the Gun Safety Act passes or not.
President Gore has stated that,"If you cannot abide by the laws of our country, then we have no room for you here. The American people will not tolerate violence or the threat of it. No individual has a right to own a gun, and I think that the courts have settled this when the Emerson case was overturned recently. These handguns and assault weapons are only made to kill people and ordinary citizens have no business owning them. Only the police and the army should have that kind of firepower."
The mood here is jubilant and patriotic for the moment even as more people continue to gather. What the coming week will bring is anyone's guess.
May 17, 2001 2:27am
Militia Gathers in Missouri
The scene was patriotic and enthusiastic yesterday on a farm west of Springfield Missouri where tens of thousands of armed Americans gathered in what has been called the largest militia muster since the Civil War. Estimates ranging from 40,000 to 70,000 men and women armed with everything from shotguns to assault rifles and representing at least 38 states have come here in a show of force. They are here in a sea of flags and banners dressed in camoflage and street clothes to protest the Gun Safety Act of 2001. The militia members, many of whom belong to no organized militia but seem simply to be outraged gunowners, object primarily to the licensing and registration requirements of the law. They call these provisions unconstitutional.
Militia members have expressed their determination that this Act before Congress shall not pass without their voices being heard. Dennis Ardor, a spokesman for the gathering said, "For far too long this Federal Government has trampled on the Constitution, the Second Amendment and the rights of the citizens of this country. We are here today from all over this nation to proclaim that this must stop here and now. We shall not stand by idly while we are disarmed."
Local and Federal authorities have watched in amazement as more and more protesters keep streaming in from all over the country. A small command center has been set up outside the farm and authorities are monitoring the situation but can do little else. The gathering had originally been termed a "shoot" where gun enthusiasts meet for a day or two to target shoot but has since mushroomed into something far larger.
However, local Sheriff Clyde Simpson has said that since the farm is private property and that target shooting on private property is not illegal, there is little he can do.
An FBI spokesman on the scene declined to comment on the legality of the meeting or if there will be a Federal response.
When told that Federal agencies where gathering outside the farm, Dennis Ardor said, "We are doing nothing illegal but if they want our guns and our freedom, they can come and get em."
When asked what their plans were, militia leaders stated that they will continue with their plans to target shoot for the upcoming week and send a strong message to Washington DC that they will not go away whether the Gun Safety Act passes or not.
President Gore has stated that,"If you cannot abide by the laws of our country, then we have no room for you here. The American people will not tolerate violence or the threat of it. No individual has a right to own a gun, and I think that the courts have settled this when the Emerson case was overturned recently. These handguns and assault weapons are only made to kill people and ordinary citizens have no business owning them. Only the police and the army should have that kind of firepower."
The mood here is jubilant and patriotic for the moment even as more people continue to gather. What the coming week will bring is anyone's guess.
