Snappy newsletters. Simple Facebook sharing. Spirited comments. Sweet features are waiting… GET THEM NOW!

Anti-US Gov't Militias Are Awakening

By Rob Quinn,  Newser Staff

Posted Aug 12, 2009 4:53 AM CDT
Email

(Newser) – Anti-government militia groups largely dormant during the Bush years are making a comeback and dozens of new ones are sprouting up, AP reports. Such groups, fueled by the poor economy and distrust of the Obama administration, are poised to grow rapidly, according to a report from the Southern Poverty Law Center. "All it's lacking is a spark," one veteran ATF agent told report investigators.

The militias are mainly based in the Midwest, Pacific Northwest, and the Deep South, and are making full use of the Internet as a recruitment tool, warning of impending gun control measures and a Mexican attempt to reclaim the Southwest. Violent acts from militia groups haven't reached the level of their '90s peak, the report finds, although a rising number of "lone-wolf" offenders, like the suspect in the April killings of three police officers in Pittsburgh, also appears to be increasing.

A militia member trains with heavy weaponry. At least 50 new militia groups have sprung up in recent months.
A militia member trains with heavy weaponry. At least 50 new militia groups have sprung up in recent months.   (Libertytreeradio)
A militia member urges Americans to buy more guns in this still from an Ohio militia video.
A militia member urges Americans to buy more guns in this still from an Ohio militia video.   (OhioMilitia)
Ohio militia members on a live-fire training exercise.
Ohio militia members on a live-fire training exercise.   (Libertytreeradio)
« Prev« Prev | Next »Next » Slideshow
To report an error on this story, notify our editors.
A snapshot of the day's best news stories.
 
COMMENTS
Showing 3 of 31 comments
cognitivefilter
Aug 13, 2009 3:31 AM CDT
technically, the right to form a militia is in the constitution. these sound like the same kinds of nuts who bring guns to town hall meetings, but i won't offend their right to do it. just gonna be one of those things we have to 'deal with'
Shannonals
Aug 13, 2009 3:16 AM CDT
"Your government"? See, it's that mode of thinking that has caused problems in this country. Just because the party you favor doesn't win an election doesn't make this any less your government. You need to turn off that Talk Radio
Fondue
Aug 12, 2009 12:52 PM CDT
What is truly ridiculous is the idea that "the government" is some foreign power out to destroy "the people" or some crazy anti-American, homegrown terrorist notion like that. The government is made up of Americans. Any attack on "the government" is an attack on fellow Americans. These anti-American militias are groups of Timothy McVeigh's, and you saw how welcome we treated him.
US • Politics

 
gun control • militia • white supremacism • right wingers • Southern Poverty Law Center • domestic terrorism • Obama administration

More Newser Stories

Obama Orders Gun Dealers to Report Multiple Rifle Sales

247 on Terror Watch List Bought Guns in 2010

NRA Refuses White House Meeting on Gun Rules

Gun Rights Gain Under Obama

Obama: 'We Will Not Cower'
NEWS FROM OUR PARTNERS
Other Sites We Like:   24/7 Wall St.   |   Betty Confidential   |   BuzzFeed   |   Cracked   |   Fark   |   Timelines   |   The Frisky   |   Geek Sugar   |   NewsOne