Unregulated militias put the public in general at risk

RECENT EVENTS involving so-called militias have left me with a number of unanswered questions. For instance:

Is there a licensing agency for militias? Are militias accredited and certified in any way, and if so, by whom? Are there minimum requirements for becoming a member of a militia, and who decides if those requirements are met? Is joining a militia any different from joining a bowling team?

Under whose command are these militias serving, and who exactly decides on that appointment? In whose defense are these militias assembled? And against what enemy do they defend? How many militias can one state have? Who resolves disputes between militias?

Shouldn’t there be a code of practice for the membership of these militias? Shouldn’t their firearms be listed on some sort of registry? Shouldn’t members be required to be qualified in the use of their firearms? Shouldn’t some form of discipline be required for disobedience, dereliction of duty or desertion?

Shouldn’t there be consequences for members who are negligent? If not, then these militias are simply fancy dress clubs for boys playing soldier; except this kind of playacting could get someone killed.

It seems to me that these militias should be well regulated. Perhaps it’s time for the governor and the state Legislature to do some much-needed well regulating before more people get hurt.

STEPHEN FLEMING

Roswell