Would A Civilian Militia Need Select-Fire Weapons?
(edit: removed distracting opinion unrelated to topic)
For a moment, however, let's focus on the topic of civilian militias and gun ownership.
If you are forming a civilian militia, then it's for the purpose of homeland security. Our forefathers viewed homeland security as defending your home from BOTH foreign AND domestic military rule, and so our civilian militias are supposed to protect us from invaders and our own government. For reference, please see "The American Revolution." Since the government keeps track of select-fire weapons and other destructive devices, then would it really help to have a militia with your auto-weapons all registered with the government so they know exactly where to find you and what you're armed with? Also, would it really help to have automatic-fire capability in a civilian combat role? What is the role of the civilian militiaman?
The way I see it, a civilian militia should be comprised of (1) mostly snipers firing a standard cartridge from a standardized platform - for example, everyone in a particular militia group fires .308 from the Remington 700 BDL - to minimize logistical problems (costs/parts) and to encourage the avoidance of close combat with soldiers trained in the art of killing, (2) a small number of people who's primary focus is camouflaged entrenchment for the purpose of holding strategic ground in close quarters.
I really don't see the need for a bunch of select-fire M16's in a civilian militia because civilian militias don't need to mow down rioting crowds or engage in massive open-field combat. Civilian militias will always be outnumbered by their opponents, and so sniping and subterfuge is the only real way to go. Holding ground can probably be done with high capacity semi-auto weapons (or shotguns, because defending your country is "Base Defense") because if you need full-auto, then you either can't aim or are shooting at 4 people at once in a confined space; either case you're bleened. The only full-auto guns a militia would have a good use for are full-auto Glocks for personal protection and maybe room-clearing, but I certainly would not carry around an extra rifle just to have select-fire capability. Give me a good semi-auto .308 (FAL, AR-10, HK-91) and a pistol, and I would be happy. Even if military rifles are hard to come by, I would still feel comfortable with a band of men with Safari BAR's shooting from half a kilo away from the action.
Just a thought. I have more to say, but I want a take a break to work ;-)
For a moment, however, let's focus on the topic of civilian militias and gun ownership.
If you are forming a civilian militia, then it's for the purpose of homeland security. Our forefathers viewed homeland security as defending your home from BOTH foreign AND domestic military rule, and so our civilian militias are supposed to protect us from invaders and our own government. For reference, please see "The American Revolution." Since the government keeps track of select-fire weapons and other destructive devices, then would it really help to have a militia with your auto-weapons all registered with the government so they know exactly where to find you and what you're armed with? Also, would it really help to have automatic-fire capability in a civilian combat role? What is the role of the civilian militiaman?
The way I see it, a civilian militia should be comprised of (1) mostly snipers firing a standard cartridge from a standardized platform - for example, everyone in a particular militia group fires .308 from the Remington 700 BDL - to minimize logistical problems (costs/parts) and to encourage the avoidance of close combat with soldiers trained in the art of killing, (2) a small number of people who's primary focus is camouflaged entrenchment for the purpose of holding strategic ground in close quarters.
I really don't see the need for a bunch of select-fire M16's in a civilian militia because civilian militias don't need to mow down rioting crowds or engage in massive open-field combat. Civilian militias will always be outnumbered by their opponents, and so sniping and subterfuge is the only real way to go. Holding ground can probably be done with high capacity semi-auto weapons (or shotguns, because defending your country is "Base Defense") because if you need full-auto, then you either can't aim or are shooting at 4 people at once in a confined space; either case you're bleened. The only full-auto guns a militia would have a good use for are full-auto Glocks for personal protection and maybe room-clearing, but I certainly would not carry around an extra rifle just to have select-fire capability. Give me a good semi-auto .308 (FAL, AR-10, HK-91) and a pistol, and I would be happy. Even if military rifles are hard to come by, I would still feel comfortable with a band of men with Safari BAR's shooting from half a kilo away from the action.
Just a thought. I have more to say, but I want a take a break to work ;-)
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I don't believe people will more willingly charge an M-1 being fired as rapidly as possible - aimed fire - than an M-4/16 on full auto.
"He who fights and runs away, lives to fight another day".
-Doug Wilson
Doug0 -
Arimisvi,
You haven't got a shotgun?
Tell ya what: if we ever form a militia, I'll give ya one of mine. I've got both Mossbergs and Remingtons to choose from.[8D]0 -
Doug,
OK...then here's a hypothetical for you.
Scenario: martial law declared. militia (of which you are a member) brought into (arguments sake) Portland to assist in quelling a gang related riot and stop looters. Reports include gangs armed and use of deadly force authorized. You and 5 fellow militiamen deploy to cover 2 city blocks between Main and Broadway (I know nothing of Portland...just play along). You start sweeping through and run into two rival gangs trading fire. Guesstimates in all 20 from each gang 40 total. Spotting a fallen ganger you see they are sporting TEC-9s or MAC-11s. A Garand (fine gun that it is) just wouldn't provide you with the ability to end the feudin would it?0 -
EMM,
I've actually been looking at some Mossbergs lately. Granted we have a pistol and 2 m44 rifles already, but a nice scatter gun would be better as home defense than the rifles. the sound of it being pumped once is enough to stop just about any intruder.0 -
I enjoy the Mossberg 590. It looks great and is reliable - two things that everyone should look for in their firearms![8D] 0 -
"I don't really think a home-grown militia would last long against a professional, competent military force. The only way a militia wins is to bleed the opposing army until the people bring pressure to bear on the politicians to make it end. "
Dont only think Vietnam... I think the same is going on in Iraq.0 -
That's what I meant when I said "our current enemies." The terrorists know if they can inflict enough casualties to keep CNN and the NY Times outraged they may be able to sway public opinion towards surrender. 0
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