Vermont Republican Gov. Phil Scott signed S.3 into law, banning paramilitary camps.
Guess the Vermont legislature and governor forgot the state’s history with Ethan Allen and the Green Mountain Boys. More on that later.
Democrat state Sen. Phil Baruth introduced the legislature because authorities couldn’t do anything about a camp since it didn’t violate state laws. How dare they!
State laws? How about the Constitution? The 2nd Amendment states: A well regulated Militia, being necessary to the security of a free State, the right of the people to keep and bear Arms, shall not be infringed.
From MyChamplainValley.com:
State Sen. Phil Baruth introduced the bill to prevent training camps such as Slate Ridge, run by Daniel Banyai.Authorities say owner Banyai didn’t have the proper zoning permits to build the facility, and neighbors have complained about the noise of gunfire from the camp.In February 2023, the Vermont Environmental Court ordered Banyai to take down the buildings involved with the training by June 23rd, or face the possibility of jail, and fines that could exceed $100,000.In April 2021, Banyai described his property to The Associated Press as a firearms training facility that was safe, and didn’t pose any risk to the environment. The facility also teaches first aid and “anything to do with the outdoors and firearms.”
Here’s the thing. The bill does not match the description of Banyai’s facility. Law enforcement went hard on Banyai because neighbors described it as a menace.
The Environment Court, which deals with environmental law and “hearing appeals of Vermont municipal enforcement actions,” went after Banyai.
§ 4071. PARAMILITARY TRAINING PROHIBITED(a) A person shall not:(1) teach, train, or demonstrate to any other person the use, application, or making of a firearm, explosive, or incendiary device capable of causing injury or death, or techniques capable of causing injury or death to persons, if the person knows or reasonably should know that the teaching, training, or demonstrating is intended to be used in or in furtherance of a civil disorder; or(2) assemble with one or more other persons for the purpose of practicing or being taught, trained, or instructed in the use, application, or making of a firearm, explosive, or incendiary device capable of causing injury or death, or in techniques capable of causing injury or death to persons, if the person knows or reasonably should know that the practicing, teaching, training, or instruction is intended to be used in or in furtherance of a civil disorder.(b) A person who violates this section shall be imprisoned not more than five years or fined not more than $50,000.00, or both.
The law does not apply to “legitimate law enforcement purposes” or “Norwich University or any other educational institution where military service is taught.”
The legislature also said it does not apply to any activity “without knowledge of or intent to cause or further a civil disorder that is intended to teach or practice self-defense or self-defense techniques, including karate clubs, self-defense clinics, and similar lawful activity.”
It doesn’t ban anything related to “recreational use or possession of firearms.”
In other words, you can still do everything listed in the legislature if the people do not plan to use the techniques to cause or further disorder.
Excuse me. How do you know if someone is there to learn the techniques to cause or further civil disorder if they clearly don’t say it out loud?
How does Banyai’s facility cause a bill like S.3? Banyai claims Slate Ridge is a firearm training facility on 30 acres.
Ah, yes. Besides the state senator being frustrated because Banyai didn’t violate state laws, Banyai lacked permits. The government must go after him:
Authorities say owner Daniel Banyai built the facility without proper zoning permits. It has been at the center of various legal actions since September 2019.In a scathing order issued Wednesday, the Vermont Environmental Court said that Banyai was in contempt of court for deliberately flouting a series of court orders issued since the legal case began. This time, he faces jail and fines that could exceed $100,000 if he fails to comply by June 23.The fines are stacking up at a rate of $200 a day because Banyai has not followed a series of court orders calling for him to remove a number of buildings, including what is called a “school house;” and other structures, as well as shooting ranges that were constructed without the required town zoning permits, the court said.“Respondent has demonstrated a willfulness, perhaps even an enthusiasm, for disregarding the Town’s Bylaws, this Court’s Orders, and the authority of the Judiciary,” the Environmental Court said in an order issued Wednesday by Judge Thomas Durkin.
As I said, people called the camp a menace. Others claimed people at the camps threatened and intimidated them. They stay anonymous because they fear for their safety.
You know, Vermont wouldn’t exist without Ethan Allen and his Green Mountain Boys. They are literally the reason why the state isn’t part of New York. The state owes its existence to a militia group.
The Green Mountain Boys, a militia group, also had an impact in the Revolutionary War. We would have lost Fort Ticonderoga without them.
CLICK HERE FOR FULL VERSION OF THIS STORY