Military not about protecting democracy

I am a veteran and have owned and used guns for sport for over 60 years. In this past session, the Idaho Legislature considered repealing all or part of the state’s law banning private militias. I think that would be opening the door for evil people to take up arms and take the law into their own hands. What we saw in D.C. on Jan 6, 2021, was just a glimpse of what a world with militias could be like.

Idaho’s Constitution states that the “military shall be subordinate to the civil power” and similar statements are in the constitutions of 48 of the states. Repealing the law would be unconstitutional.

Supporters of repealing the law say that the law is antiquated and not in compliance with the First and Second amendments. It’s not the law that bans militias that is antiquated, it’s the militias that are antiquated. This is not the 1800s. Also, established case law has repeatedly said laws banning militias are constitutional.

Militias are not about expanding freedoms; they are about taking away freedoms by forcing their beliefs on others.

Militias are not about the rule of law; they are about bypassing the rule of law.

Militias are not about fighting for our independence; they are about taking away independence.

Militias are not about protecting democracy; they would be legalized anarchy with guns.

KEN THACKER

Sagle