Brewer signs bill authorizing volunteer state militia
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Gov. Jan Brewer has signed a bill creating a state militia that she could deploy at any time, and for any reason.
The bill, SB1495, creates a volunteer state militia, separate and apart from the National Guard.
Rep. Jack Harper, R-Surprise, who sponsored a near identical House bill, said this type of legislation couldn’t have come at a better time.
Harper, who has previously said the governor would not be required to establish a state militia and who called the new state guard a “safety net” for the governor, said he thinks Gov. Brewer should call a militia to action right away.
“I’m very excited that she signed it, of course,” he said. “With the national funding for the National Guard on the border expiring in June, I would like to see the governor sign an executive order that immediately establishes the guard.”
Harper said he consulted several times with Maj. Gen. Hugo Salazar, the Arizona National Guard’s adjutant general, about how he would be able to utilize a volunteer militia if it were to be established and deployed to the U.S.-Mexico border. He called those conversations encouraging.
The new state militia does not have a command structure defined, and Harper said the governor could put anyone in charge of the group.
“That’s not spelled out in the legislation,” Harper said.
Aside from potentially being deployed to the border, Harper said the new state guard could be used in the case of nuclear, biological or chemical attacks, or if there were a radiological leak at a nuclear power plant.
“Decontamination is vital in that scenario,” Harper said. “And the volunteer force could augment first responders in that case.”
40 Responses to “Brewer signs bill authorizing volunteer state militia”
April 28th, 2011 at 7:38 pm
Way to go, Gov. Brewer! AZ is leading the nation in setting the right example and I only wish CA would have the guts to follow. But it will take the mass exodus of people like myself (law abiding, tax-paying, high earners) and more corporations for the state to wake up. Keep up the great work! I wish you were my Governor.
April 29th, 2011 at 6:10 am
Good job Arizona! I have been pushing this for a long time. And now hopefully we can merge all of our state’s citizen militias into just one. I am member of the Arizona Citizen’s Defense Force. Proud to keep serving my country, and proud to serve my state.
April 29th, 2011 at 6:29 am
I still think that the Militias should be at the county level. The governor should have authority to mobilize, but if we are to keep to the tradition and constitution, the militia must not have to sign any official contracts of enlistment.
April 29th, 2011 at 6:31 am
State Militias under state authority, but not the Fed is a good thing. But even during the revolutionary war, militiamen were county level based, and never signed enlistment contracts. There should be not enlistments here too. They at most should fill out an application just like all our volunteer firefighters do.
April 29th, 2011 at 6:36 am
That’d be a good way to get rid of them, send them into an NBC disaster site with a bottle of Mr. Clean and a roll of Brawny.
The Militias should have one purpose: Protect what little Liberty we have left and fight to re-establish the Liberty that has been lost. The real ‘terrorists’ were all born here, most have white skin and probably draw a government paycheck or work for or fund some commie front group.
The National Guard is funded by the Federal Government and their weapons are kept in Federal Armories and issued by the U.S. Army. It’s a matter of time until these state government ‘state militias’ are treated the same way.
We must pass amendments to the U.S. and state constitutions that clarify the militias are ‘the people’ with their own weapons that can be purchased at the local hardware store and their purpose is the maintenance of Liberty to the point of having at least arrest powers over commie/fascist/authoritarian politicians who introduce Liberty eroding legislation. They should have the power to drag the garbage from the state house or U.S. Congress, give them a quick treason trial and hang them from the official gallows out front.
Don’t understand? Start here: http://willowtown.com/promo/quotes.htm
April 29th, 2011 at 3:13 pm
This is dangerous…..and are we taxpayers going to be footing the bill? Membership to exclude anyone but white supremacists? And how is this
going to create jobs, maintain laws and how do we stop a bunch of zealots
running rampant?
April 29th, 2011 at 4:28 pm
The term “volunteer” does not sound like a paying job, so if we are to provide our own weapons, ammunition and gear then “we the people” will not be footing the bill but we as individuals we be footing our own bill.
April 29th, 2011 at 4:58 pm
Title 32 of the US Code authorizes states to create State Defense Forces should they choose to do so. Under Title 32 of the USC, those State Defense Forces, or “SDFs”, *cannot* be forced into federal service. Unlike the National Guard forces, SDFs are intended to remain within the boundaries of their own state, and to remain under the exclusive command and control of each state’s Governor.
Title 32 State Defense Forces already exist in 23 states (plus the Commonwealth of Puerto Rico). Those states that have activated their State Defense Forces include California, New Mexico, and Texas. The fact is, Arizona is the only southern border state that does *not* have an active State Defense Force.
Our group aims to correct that situtation. With your help, we can make it happen.
More information about our effort to see the Arizona State Guard become a reality can be found on our website at http://www.arizonastateguard.com .
April 30th, 2011 at 8:05 am
[...] AZ STATE GUARD APPROVED AND BEING IMPLEMENTED Posted on Saturday, April 30, 2011 7:37 AM AZ Gov. Jan Brewer signs bill SB1495 authorizing volunteer state militiaLast Updated on Friday, 29 April 2011 21:02 Creates a state militia that Gov. Brewer could deploy at any time, and for any reason..creates a volunteer state militia, separate and apart from the National Guard.http://azcapitoltimes.com/news/2011/04/28/brewer-signs-bill-authorizing-volunteer-state-militia/ [...]
April 30th, 2011 at 5:09 pm
[...] state militiaHere some good information from Arizona! Which state will be next to follow? Arizona Capitol Times
April 30th, 2011 at 10:13 pm
@ Mel … Militias were key in The Revolutionary War so while you utilize your free speech, which militia men helped create, I’ll make use of mine:
Just because someone wants our government to uphold the laws on the books, to have secure borders, doesn’t mean they are creating a ” Membership to exclude anyone but white supremacists … ” Fear mongering is not a valid rhetorical perspective in a true discussion.
May 1st, 2011 at 3:29 am
[...] http://azcapitoltimes.com/news/2011/04/28/brewer-signs-bill-authorizing-volunteer-state-militia/ [...]
May 1st, 2011 at 1:41 pm
This is a good idea but the unit needs to have a military command structure otherwise it is just a disorganized group going every which way without a definite objective.
May 1st, 2011 at 3:14 pm
It is constitutionally ignorant citizens like Mel that have voted in the current Congressional mess over the past two generations. The Constitution protects the already existing ‘citizens militia’ whose purpose is defense and making sure our laws are followed. There was no amendment ridding our country of the ‘unorganized citizen militia’ that is made up of able men providing their own arms. Brewer doesn’t need a law….it’s already part of the Constitution, she just needs to call them up. They pick their commanding officers and the commanding officers are the direct link to the governor. It’s about time she is doing this….but I am disappointed she didn’t use her already existing power to call up the militia.
May 1st, 2011 at 3:37 pm
Has any one read SB 1495 ???…
1. It does not “authorize volunteer state militia” !!! The state militia/guard
already exist under existing state law.
2. This new bill “seems” to give “sole power” to the governor to use the
militia as he/she sees as an emergency.
I hope I miss read the bill.
May 2nd, 2011 at 12:02 am
GO Gov. Brewer!!!
May 2nd, 2011 at 10:22 am
Would so many be enthusiastic had Napolitano signed this legislation? Consider the TSA she now directs.
May 3rd, 2011 at 6:59 am
“Leslie Beacom- I only wish CA would have the guts to follow”
CA already has a state militia High-Speed.
May 3rd, 2011 at 8:01 pm
You can sign up THIS old paratrooper! I stand ready to do my bit again for my adopted State of Arizona.
May 5th, 2011 at 5:38 pm
While I support the notion of a state militia as well as other volunteer groups, the prudent leadership we need from Governor Jan Brewer in this time of crisis is to first declare a state of emergency and activate the AZ National Guard to the border immediately. She is the Commander In Chief of our National Guard. Not President Obama who is primarily responsible for the activation of federal troops. I find it politically duplicitous that partisan politics are getting in the way of national and state security, as well as humanitarian considerations in the hostile border region of our international/state border with Mexico.
May 7th, 2011 at 8:07 pm
Well I kind of like the idea, but now all the militia’s will have to work together.
I don’t trust anything gobement does but I go there anyway and help out now. I just hope she gives us more power to really do some good and capture and chase after those whom try to escape and arrest them.
Maybe we will be able to work with the rangers and BP and sheriffs much closer and not have to worry about them getting into trouble doing so. Intel works both ways we have found at least while I was there but there hands are tied maybe ours won’t be.:)
Wake up people we have been out there for years some of us and some just starting to go there and help from other states as myself. I just hope they will still allow us to come and help as we have been doing.
Bushmaster out
May 17th, 2011 at 11:38 am
I can & will be Happy to put a small crew of Hand picked people together, to help out with the border problem.
You can contact me at.
CJ Allan
Hessians MC
cjallan@wk.net
July 11th, 2011 at 3:02 am
I am glad to see that there is life out there. People are awaking to the
realization of trouble brewing. They are taking their heads out of the sand.
Now is the time for all good men,women to come to the aid of their country.
I belong to the Arizona Border Defenders, and as a Marine, am ready willing and able to fight for my country once again.
July 20th, 2011 at 5:02 pm
Im so glad he is a 1 term preisdent ……he is a lawyer ….has never run a buisness he does not know what he is doing this is not a color issue ..its sure his stupity……down with Obama…….people wake up the democrats are killing this country of Gimmy Gimmy Gimmy , why would anyone want to depend on Government ….I love my Independence and my money …Im sick and tired of My Taxes paying for welfare and healthcare and Illegals who steal jobs ……and Teachers who do not teach …..No to Public Unions and No to the Debt ceiling being Raised..and No to The Dream Act for any Illegals in this country fix our borders and ship illegals back to their Country…US Citizens should be standing by each other …not fighting each other..what Obama is doing is Just wrong…..This is not a Black and white thing…this is an American Thing!!!!!!!!
July 21st, 2011 at 11:58 pm
What’s the difference between the Mexican mafia and a group of guys in the desert with walky talkies. Nothing!
July 22nd, 2011 at 12:52 am
Leslie: feel free to lead the mass exodus. I want to stay and being some sanity back to this state. Most of you people are Nucking Futs!
January 8th, 2012 at 8:14 am
[...] April 28th 2011 She is able to call up our state militia anytime that she thinks they are needed. Brewer signs bill authorizing volunteer state militia Arizona Capitol Times [...]
January 23rd, 2012 at 11:15 pm
Im her first volunteer I will be volunteering with my medical unit 31st field forces
alpha
January 24th, 2012 at 11:50 pm
Count me in!!!
February 2nd, 2012 at 5:44 am
Thank you, Gov. Brewer, for having a spine to do what is right and best for the citizens of AZ. So wish this existed in California. Our “leadership in Sacramento” is an oxymoron eclipsed only by “leadership in DC.”
February 2nd, 2012 at 6:20 am
WOW! What a slap in the face for the Obama presidency who has clearly fought states from enforcing laws in place that the federal government refuse to follow. This is an excellent reason to move out of this failing state of Rhode Island!
February 2nd, 2012 at 6:28 am
go ahead Obama bite my finger and th Militia will solve uour problem
February 2nd, 2012 at 6:30 am
go ahead Obama bite my finger off and my Miltia will solve your problem You dead beat president
Jack in Virginia
February 2nd, 2012 at 7:06 am
Good for Gov. Brewer. I’ll supply my own weapons and ammo.
February 2nd, 2012 at 3:50 pm
one of there days Az will be the west coast lalaland along with all the fruits, nuts and loonytoons will be no more
February 2nd, 2012 at 9:11 pm
Way to go Jan and Arizona. Now if only our missing Governor and ex presidential candidate would return to do his job in Texas he needs to put one of these together in Texas and tell Obama to stay out of Texas.
February 13th, 2012 at 9:59 pm
Mel…you are dumber than a sack of doorknobs.
February 17th, 2012 at 6:35 pm
Way to go Gov. Brewer. You made many-many veterans proud of being part of this beautiful state. We’ll be watching for you on the front lines wherever that may be.
April 16th, 2012 at 11:08 am
[...] Fever Legal Militia groups. Helping to patrol the border. Passed both houses and signed into law. Brewer signs bill authorizing volunteer state militia | Arizona Capitol Times Why? Because under President Bush with hurricane Katrina, state national guards are no longer [...]
May 4th, 2012 at 1:20 pm
[...] with chilling details of weapon stockpiles, few observers noted Gov. Jan Brewer quietly signed a controversial bill last week to establish the state’s own “armed force,” granting her the power to [...]