Should the US allow militias?

[The Grey Wolf]

I'm no expert, but I thought the National Guard, run by the individual states, counts as militias.

So did I.

[Big Jim P]

I'm no expert, but I thought the National Guard, run by the individual states, counts as militias.

So did I.

They do, but they aren't the only organizations that do.

[New Grestin]

Knowing how America deals with the lack of mental healthcare, yes.

I wouldn't let the fucker touch a gun.

That's...arguable at best, really. Considering how hard it is to get an actual statistical percentage of people with mental illness in the US, especially taking into account the millions of citizens and massive array of possible mental illnesses, most of which are completely harmless and don't effect daily life. Even then, it's more of a matter of attending to those that actually need the care, rather than taking in and "rehabilitating" every kid with OCD or ADHD.

And really, it's more of a matter of keeping guns in the hands of people who know how to use them. If anything, more people should know how to use firearms so that they can educate children and adults alike on their operations and safety procedures. If a kid knew exactly what would happen if he pointed an M1911 towards his skull, he probably wouldn't pull the trigger.

Actually, we can also chalk this up to another game I like to play on NSG: Watch People make broad generalizations about America!

But that's an argument for another day.

Point being: Militias are good, to a point.

[North Yakistan]

http://m.youtube.com/watch?v=8XiSnCt9fDc

Militias in one poverty stricken Mexican state have taken to the streets and shut down crime with very little collateral damage. This is a real world example of just why these groups are important and the good they can do.

[Southern Israel]

People are being taught gun safety.

Most of these mass-shootings you are see it because of prescription drugs and lack of mental healthcare.

Just because I'm not for a militias per say, doesn't mean I am against one to own a firearm to defend themselves. I advocate for people to reasonably defend themselves against police.

I have a Winchester M1894, Lee-Enfield, and a Beretta Nano

[Keyboard Warriors]

Personally I don't see the need for a militia, but preventing them from organizing seems a needless expense.

[North Yakistan]

People are being taught gun safety.

Most of these mass-shootings you are see it because of prescription drugs and lack of mental healthcare.

Just because I'm not for a militias per say, doesn't mean I am against one to own a firearm to defend themselves. I advocate for people to reasonably defend themselves against police.

I have a Winchester M1894, Lee-Enfield, and a Beretta Nano

But you would limit them getting together?

Most people think these people are crazy nuts getting drunk trying to blow shit up. Militia men and "gun nuts" take gun safety more seriously than anyone I've ever met.

[Genivaria]

Militia's were nearly always attached to some form of Civil government. Like a township or city or state.

I, for one, would not enjoy roving bands of armed men walking through my dwelling.

Would you rather have a government that tells you what to think, what to eat, what to read?! I would rather die than give up my rights!

Ok Rambo calm down.

[Genivaria]

I'm no expert, but I thought the National Guard, run by the individual states, counts as militias.

So did I.

They do. The exact wording is 'Well-regulated militia'.

[The Greater Ohio Valley]

Militia's were nearly always attached to some form of Civil government. Like a township or city or state.

I, for one, would not enjoy roving bands of armed men walking through my dwelling.

Would you rather have a government that tells you what to think, what to eat, what to read?! I would rather die than give up my rights!

Would you?

[Oaledonia]

I'm no expert, but I thought the National Guard, run by the individual states, counts as militias.

So did I.

Itdoes, I've pointed it out, people still ignore it.

[Romano-Germanic Empire]

Militia's were nearly always attached to some form of Civil government. Like a township or city or state.

I, for one, would not enjoy roving bands of armed men walking through my dwelling.

Would you rather have a government that tells you what to think, what to eat, what to read?! I would rather die than give up my rights!

What happens when the militia standing at your doorstep with tons of guns starts telling you what to think, what to eat, and what to read?

[SD_Film Artists]

I don't know why it's such an issue in American politics, it's like debating over the 'every able-bodied male should be trained in the longbow' law in England.

[Divair2]

Militia's were nearly always attached to some form of Civil government. Like a township or city or state.

I, for one, would not enjoy roving bands of armed men walking through my dwelling.

Would you rather have a government that tells you what to think, what to eat, what to read?! I would rather die than give up my rights!

Because obviously without militias, governments will tell you what to think, eat, and read.

[L Ron Cupboard]

We don't have militias in the UK, private armies are illegal I believe. However my experience of groups like small charities, voluntary groups, clubs, and allotment associations has been that they all eventually get taken over by some 'little Hitler' who wants to control everything. It is bad enough when an arsehole like that wants to control everything in an allotment society, I would hate to think what could happen with an armed group.

[Ifreann]

"Militia" calls to mind some people with guns and camouflage jackets making plans for the government's inevitable foray into gun snatching, election cancelling, constitution destroying and FEMA death camping, rather than the national guard and any men that might be drafted. Maybe the US could do with rewording some of their laws.

[SD_Film Artists]

We don't have militias in the UK, private armies are illegal I believe. However my experience of groups like small charities, voluntary groups, clubs, and allotment associations has been that they all eventually get taken over by some 'little Hitler' who wants to control everything. It is bad enough when an arsehole like that wants to control everything in an allotment society, I would hate to think what could happen with an armed group.

As well as being dangerous, it also looks anachronistic and quite pointless; it appears that people are asking the government permission to fight against them. And I say anachronistic because..what First World nation even talks about militias nowadays?

[Libertarian California]

Hell yes. It's our right.

[Middleton St George]

Again from a UK perspective: Apparently you lot wanted we regulated militias after independence, and you gave yourselves the right to them. That said if you think that 'liberty' requires people to be able to assemble of their own accord, armed to the teeth, defending vague notions, then actual liberty will very soon be lost. In conclusion, States should be allowed militias independently of the Federal Govt.; cities, counties, and other legitimate public bodies should also be allowed to form protection groups. Individuals getting together, with weapons, without a clear and legitimate purpose should be arrested.

[Magna Libero]

Yeah. That's a cool idea. Let's just disband the military of every nation state.

[Libertarian California]

Again from a UK perspective: Apparently you lot wanted we regulated militias after independence, and you gave yourselves the right to them. That said if you think that 'liberty' requires people to be able to assemble of their own accord, armed to the teeth, defending vague notions, then actual liberty will very soon be lost. In conclusion, States should be allowed militias independently of the Federal Govt.; cities, counties, and other legitimate public bodies should also be allowed to form protection groups. Individuals getting together, with weapons, without a clear and legitimate purpose should be arrested.

Why?

[Leetmerica]

Yes, of course! People should have the right to defend themselves from tyrannical government and fight for what's right! But then again, what if what they believe to be right would also be illegal? What if the KKK, or separatist groups organized? Ok, well then, yes to militias, but only if approved by the government! But wait, no, then that defeats the purpose, doesn't it? Ok, fine then, militias, but they have to be organized by the state, like what Texas does!

[Divair2]

Again from a UK perspective: Apparently you lot wanted we regulated militias after independence, and you gave yourselves the right to them. That said if you think that 'liberty' requires people to be able to assemble of their own accord, armed to the teeth, defending vague notions, then actual liberty will very soon be lost. In conclusion, States should be allowed militias independently of the Federal Govt.; cities, counties, and other legitimate public bodies should also be allowed to form protection groups. Individuals getting together, with weapons, without a clear and legitimate purpose should be arrested.

Well said.

[Mormak]

Uh, I thought Militia were legal thus far in the North American Continent.

Just that they were forbidden from private military Parading of Arms or be considered as a legal military body under the Law and capable of policing and arrests.

[Leetmerica]

But then I guess the government is still involved in one way or another. Hmmm...