Bill would create paramilitary group in Montana

[The Straight Story]

Bill would create paramilitary group in Montana


HELENA — A Republican legislator from Havre wants to create an armed paramilitary group made up of volunteers called the home guard.

House Bill 278 sponsored by Rep. Wendy Warburton would allow citizens to organize military-like companies that would answer to the governor and sheriffs during emergencies.

Warburton says the home guard would provide fast response services not available during emergencies in the past.

The House State Administration committee held a hearing on the bill on Friday. The measure drew opposition from a Montana Human Rights Network representative who says it could be abused by anti-government extremists.

The home guard would not be subject to federal oversight and a company could only be recognized if certified by the governor.

http://www.havredailynews.com/cms/news/local_headlines/story-213316.html

[spanone]

1. have these people never heard of the national guard?

[MilesColtrane]

2. ...or, the Boy Scouts?

http://www.scouting.org/scoutsource/HealthandSafety/GSS/gss08.aspx

[spanone]

3. next we'll have the 'blackwater police department' for profit law & order

[southernyankeebelle]

4. Well if they want that then take the National Guard out of the state.

[Maine_Nurse]

5. The Nat'l Guard can be federalized and absent.

These groups cannot be. 22 States already have them and they are allowed by various federal laws. Many do great work in augmenting police and rescue units during emergencies.