Helena, Montana – April 19, 2020: Yellowstone Militia of Billings, armed group of men carrying guns and weapons, protest of government shutdown and Montana’s stay-at-home orders. credit: Shutterstock
Q: Please send me a source on the size of militias. This NY Times article has data that mirrors the numbers I recall. I live amongst Republicans and most do have a modicum of common sense. Hyperbole only gets most people more aroused or dismissive. They are not much concerned about shaming mobs but burning/riot mobs make them nervous and heaven help any groups that might mess up their commute to work. Republicans also seem split over who their leader will be.
A: The NY Times estimates only 15 to 20,000 in militias, but the ADL estimated the number at 100,000 in 2011. I expect that number has increased since then.
Civics Lesson: Organized and Unorganized Militias
Today, as defined by the Militia Act of 1903, the term “militia” is used to describe two classes within the United States: Congress has organized the National Guard under its power to “raise and support armies” and not its power to “Provide for organizing, arming and disciplining the Militia”.
The militia of the United States, as defined by the U.S. Congress, has changed over time. During colonial America, all able-bodied men of a certain age range were members of the militia, depending on each colony’s rule. Individual towns formed local independent militias for their own defense. The year before the US Constitution was ratified, The Federalist Papers detailed the founders‘ paramount vision of the militia in 1787. The new Constitution empowered Congress to “organize, arm, and discipline” this national military force, leaving significant control in the hands of each state government.
Number of Firearms in America: 393 millionPercentage of Republicans who agree with this statement, “Because things have gotten so far off track, true American patriots may have to resort to violence in order to save our country.”: 30%Number of Registered Republicans: 36.4Approximate number of Republican Men: 22 millionNumber of well-armed men ready to use violence to save America: 6 million Republicans + another 3 million independents.
