There is no subject more spoken about secertly than the modern militia. I'm not talking about the National Guard or Reserve Forces. I'm talking about armed civilians. Training, arming, and equipping themselves with all the modern items of war and conflict. Do you think that they have a purpose in today's society and do you think tht the government should...

A) Crack down on these groups

or

B) Encourage these groups

I believe that these groups should exist. Armed civilians can protect themselves and others during situtations when the government cannot. Such as the major SANFU in New Orleans after the hurricane. Also, it's written in the US Legal COde and the Bill of Rghts that the civilians populace has the right to bear arms has a un-regulated militia. What is the Un-Regulated Militia you ask? Well, it's everyone between the ages of 18-55 not in government service. If you're not in uniform of the Department of Defense, Reverse Forces, or National Guard; than you are in the Un-Regulated Militia.

I pick B. Who knows when they may be needed.

Armed civilians can protect themselves and others during situtations when the government cannot. Such as the major SANFU in New Orleans after the hurricane.

Uh il pass. Citizens deserve the right to protect there homes by any means necessary.

However, militas did form in New Orleans, they used there superious fire-power to rape, loot and destroy there fellow citizens. I mean even if they were other miliars in your scenario so called (good militas) versus the people that formed into armed gangs the (bad militas) not only do you form a disaster area, youve created a war-zone.

I have a feeling you wouldnt stop at AR-15s and AK-47s youd want the good militas to have Javelins, Stingers and other advanced weapons. Doesnt that paint a pretty picture.

I'll pass on the militia as well.

IMO, the main problem with these groups is the lack of regulation and proper training.

There's a reason why people don't just join up straight away into the defence force/national guard/reserves, but instead head firstly to training. They have to be trained to deal with the situations, to recognise the limits and duties of defence and to understand what is, and what isn't legal.

I doubt that all militias would receive thorough training in the above areas.

Also, defence forces are actually accountable for their actions. Conversely, not all militias are.

In summary, I would be very wary of semi-trained, non-professionals wielding weapons and attempting to 'restore order'.

I pick B

Follow the Law!

When I was in the Indiana National Guard they (the US government) were so concerned about armed militias that among other reasons they formed a seperate unit of strack soldiers who would confront their fellow armed citizens should the need arise. I know this was one of the reasons because it was one of the questions asked in the interview process when I applied for it in 1992. The 76th SID (Special Infantry Division or Detachment can't recall now what the D was exactly). But I was asked if I could carry out my duty if the enemy I faced were my fellow citizens armed and banded together as militias. The Michigan Militia was all over the news in the 90's and viewed as an internal enemy. In fact Timothy McVeigh and his accomplices had direct links to this and other armed militias. They are not to be encouraged in my opinion.

Citizens will slowly but inevitably lose more and more of their rights to the government. Look at the 'small government' Republican majority in America right now. If this is as good as it gets for small government imagine what happens when it's big government time!

Government doesn't like a challenge so it doesn't like someone who has anything more than a pistol or a small hunting rifel to challenge its authority.

If you ask me what I really think? I think each state should have its own millitias. The federal government should be AFRAID of millitias to keep it in line. How it's going to work in the real world though. In the next 100 years we'll just see more and more government control and less and less personal independence... ESPECIALLY with respect to trained and equiped citizen-soldiers.

I am not concerned about these people as long as they stick to the law and are not about to harm people recklessly. I mean, if it is some friends getting together for some practice at the range and do what they enjoy doing - let them keep on doing it, but groups with extreme political desires and plans should be cracked down

I surly remember the The Michigan Militia - it was on the news here in Norway as well and those news did cast some light on the Norwegian Stay Behind units.

mean, if it is some friends getting together for some practice at the range and do what they enjoy doing - let them keep on doing it

Well, that's not a militia

Citizens will slowly but inevitably lose more and more of their rights to the government.

Why is it inevitable?

The federal government should be AFRAID of millitias to keep it in line.

I'm curious now; could you explain the logic behind that? I agree that the government's power should be checked but do you think using people who may, or may not operate within legal frameworks is the way forward?