Missouri Senate committee to debate volunteer militia bill
NEW BLOOMFIELD — The Missouri Senate General Laws Committee will hold a hearing Tuesday on a bill that would establish an all-volunteer militia under the direct command of the governor.
The militia, dubbed "The Minutemen" by bill Senate Bill 528, would be able to be called into action "for use in defense during a state of emergency" by the governor.
According to the bill summary, any Missouri resident who can legally own a gun would be able to register for the militia with the Department of Public Safety. The identity of registered members would not be subject to disclosure or dissemination under penalty of law.
Any member would be required to supply their own guns, ammunition, equipment, and other "supplies necessary to perform any duties as assigned by the governor," according to the summary. Any equipment designated for use in the militia would become the property of the state "for purposes of sovereignty and jurisdiction," and they would be exempt from taxation and registration requirements.
The bill summary adds the governor would be solely in charge of the militia and would oversee organization, training, discipline, and other administrative tasks for the Minutemen.
The bill includes language that would make it a Class E felony to disclose any part of the registration list, and offenders would be subjected to a $1,000 fine for each name disclosed.
According to the summary, the state would have no liability for damages caused or any criminal act committed by a volunteer while "enrolled in the minutemen or while acting in the course of his or her duties."
