Posted on 06/13/2009 6:15:34 AM PDT by riverrunner
MONROE, Wash. -- Special federal agents are investigating a local gun range suspected of serving as a militia training camp, according to court documents. Owner Jim Faire says he can't afford to run a background check on every visitor because his outdoor gun range is a nonprofit business. As a result, he said, county officials and the FBI have begun cracking down on the range after a convicted felon was caught with guns and drugs there.
With thousands of shells littered across the ground, the gun range is now closed. Neighbors are glad to have the quiet, but they never suspected anything criminal was going on.
"There is no threat. And I am not worried about terrorism or any type of radical thing," said neighbor Arne Viklund.
Faire said the county shut down the gun range, citing violation of commercial zoning laws. But he believes the county clamped down because of one man -- Andrew Gray, a convicted felon who faces federal weapons and drug charges.
According to court documents, agents say Gray has a history with anti-government groups. An undercover informant told the FBI Gray had been firing rifles at the gun range, prompting agents to search his storage unit.
Inside they found 21 pistols and rifles, including a military-style machine gun. Also in the unit were two bulletproof vests and unregistered silencers. A search of Gray's house turned up more than 300 marijuana plants growing in the detached garage.
Gray's attorney refused to comment on the case.
Faire would not say just how long he's known Gray, but now he knows the FBI is watching him, too.
Court documents said anti-terrorism agents keep an eye on the gun range because the informant says it's known as a militia training center.
But Faire claims the word "militia" is just a part of an inside joke. He says his group is a local chapter of Project Appleseed, a nonprofit organization dedicated to teaching marksmanship and preserving gun rights.
And neighbors who've known Faire for more than 40 years say that sounds about right. They don't believe he's involved in any radical or anti-government movements.
Gray's attorney says her client stopped meeting with anti-government groups a few months ago. Gray has been freed on bail. He is due in court on Thursday.
Someone has a deeply vested interest in turning us all into shadows.
That is worth repeating.
I am not a member (although I've researched and considered) but I do know a few folks.
They are lawyers, engineers, police officers, retail folks who come together in a strictly “defensive” manner to discuss issues detrimental to this nation and our constitution.
Real m-movements have NO interest in any aggressive actions toward our gubbamint or citizen of any particular race or nationality.
All lovers of the American way of life and our constitution are gladly welcomed.
Most media coverage have tied the militia movements to wacko or alien cults. It's all disinformation to shed a negative light and cause division among lovers of the constitution.
Bump
collateral damage, Chicago style....every now and then they’ll accidentally jail one of their own thugs.
Bobby Rush is a terrorist. Shut the F’n government down.
This is 8 miles from where I live. I feel left out ;)
Many states have official militias that are under the command of their governors (much like the National Guard when on state duty). However, these militias (often called "State Guards" or "State Defence Forces") are not part of the federal military. Members are subject to background checks and are not likely to be full blown nut jobs. Check this link to see if your state has such a militia: http://www.sgaus.org/States.htm
Gday all! As someone thats been to that range and knows the property owner, I can attest without fear of contradiction that little of what was written here is true. The investigation and action taken were the result of agitation by local, county connected Marxists that are doing their part to strangle the few freedoms we have left. Mr. Faire is an honorable man and as true an American as they come. I will be standing by his side when those that would steal the last of our freedoms come for him and make no bones about it, they will.
As Mr. Faire noted; he built the range for his own use, considering first the safety of others, and the utility of being able to safely shoot and train as he saw fit on his own land. Others, hearing of his accomplishment asked it they could use that range to further their private shooting goals, as well as some folks connected with the Appleseed project whichas did our founding fathersis to make a riflemen out of every American citizen. If youre interested in who and what they are, you can learn more about them here: http://www.appleseedinfo.org/
If youre reading this and not yet a member of this outstanding American organization, I recommend that you become one today. Nothing sends a message to the socialist usurpers in our midst than free, like-minded Americans gathering together and nothing scares the pants off of those that wish our Republic harm than those that will fight to prevent thatgetting to know each other.
When you have a place to shoot and you become known as an outspoken citizen teaching the values of freedom and liberty youll attract all kinds of hangers-on. Some like meunhappy with recent political trends, that were looking to hook up with the local political and militia groups, and some like the fellow noted in that article for his less than savory activities. Just like you dont get to choose who you walk down the sidewalk or grocery isles with, one cant always divine who is or isnt in league with your own ideals when two or more of us are gathered together. I do know that any talk that wanders towards anarchism or anti-Americanism is swiftly and harshly dealt with and the perpetrator asked to leave as it should be.
While I have been to only a few shoots held there, I have met many of the folks that do congregate there and at other, related functions in the area. A great many of them are PCOs and other active local politicians, members of law enforcement, former members of high-level security details, and other upstanding, elected citizens active in the local political apparatus. Obviously, given that theyre not the protected, leftist, federal government supported ACORN vermin, it follows that theyre a mix of true, fervent and free Republican/Conservative/Libertarian Americans the exact antithesis of the currently favored and protected Marxists that are seeking to overthrow our Republican form of government from within. So it should come as little surprise that the locals will seize upon any reason to strangle Mr. Faires freedom of association.
The last activity I attended at SNODAR was the organization and training for the protection detail for a visiting ex-presidential candidate to a political confab and Campaign for Liberty freedom rally in Seattle. Its probably just me, but Id submit that this hardly qualifies as subversion or any other kind of anti-American activity. This protection was provided by those doing it freely, without cost or charge to the principle. It was done as a grassroots activity in the furtherance of true, American freedom. It is exactly that, that sticks in the craw of those that would stifle us and betray our freedoms. It is freemen doing for themselves what lesser men need to have the government do for them instead
[quote] With thousands of shells littered across the ground, the gun range is now closed. Neighbors are glad to have the quiet, but they never suspected anything criminal was going on. [/quote]
Dont you just love it? I do! All these first hand accounts of thousands of shells littered across the ground
. For the record, the shooting area is swept and raked and the brass recovered as it is at all ranges. But it sure sounds dramatic and very un-American to make it sound like its a dump run by a callous man. How typical
how biased and un-American by those protected by the very first amendment, so they can use it to sully true Americans. Sad, that
As for neighbors never suspect[ing] anything criminal was going on, it couldnt be that nothing criminal was going on, could it? But never let your local Marxist, political goon be swayed by facts. Always go out of your way to besmirch a true American so that the socialist vermin begin to look better by comparison. So easy, that
[quote] Faire said the county shut down the gun range, citing violation of commercial zoning laws. But he believes the county clamped down because of one man — Andrew Gray, a convicted felon who faces federal weapons and drug charges. [/quote]
The complaint noted that his crime was grading the river-bank sandbar that was the shooting area in order to prevent flooding and to ensure that it safely contains any loosed rounds. Further, he was ordered to restore that area to its former, flood-molded condition. Of course, he needs to get this done by June 25th, and needs a permit that takes 8-weeks to apply foras well as an expensive environmental study. Your classic catch-22. The government mandates certain actions, and then takes you to task for them not getting it done on time. And folks wonder why we no longer trust those that have seized control of our rights and due process?
[quote] According to court documents, agents say Gray has a history with anti-government groups. An undercover informant told the FBI Gray had been firing rifles at the gun range, prompting agents to search his storage unit.
Inside they found 21 pistols and rifles, including a military-style machine gun. Also in the unit were two bulletproof vests and unregistered silencers. A search of Gray’s house turned up more than 300 marijuana plants growing in the detached garage. [/quote]
While I dont know Mr. Gray and am pretty sure that I never met him, but read again the thrust of that article. A fellow with a felony hears about and comes to a local range to shoot, and our vaunted FBI agents find out that he went there. From that they raid Mr. Grays storage shed and home, and implied that because he had contraband of one sort or another, that the owner of the range he visited is culpable in that revelation. Hows that for innocent until proven guilty?
[quote]
anti-terrorism agents keep an eye on the gun range because the informant says it’s known as a militia training center. [/quote]
Did you catch the punch line? It seems that
anti-terrorism agents keep an eye on the gun range because the informant says it’s known as a militia training center. First off, I dont see that this mystery informant needs to be fending off unwarranted court fights nor was he served any papers. Why is it that Mr. Faire is known, but those that seek to besmirch his reputation and character can seemingly hide behind a brazen government provided mask? An unnamed informant declares this a militia training center, and thats enough to frame an American? Is that all it takes these days? One socialist loving loser says something, and its true by default
freedom be damned? Is that how low weve sunk?
In any event, Mr. Faire is not a wealthy man nor is he politically connected in the proper fashion to local channels. If anyone reading here has any insight, knowledge, or access to funds or knowledgeable persons in these matters, if youll post em here or drop me a note off-list Id be happy to pass them along. Any help you can give to a true patriot thats at the heart of what it means to be an American fighting for the cause of America would be welcome
no matter how small or casual
I wonder if posting a picture of the Ayatollah at the range would have made the Feds go away. (Cuz that would mean they’re a legit charity and not a militia!)
This won’t stop with words, legislation or elections.
If you shut down every governmental body that has seen corruption, Eternal, it would leave out maybe 5 states, and over 90% of the cities and counties in each state.
You called this one.
You voted to convict?
You should be tarred, feathered, horsewhipped, and then run out of town on a rail...
Not familiar with ‘jury nullification’, obviously. I would never be picked for another jury (I’ve sat on one, in another state), because it would take only three questions to expose that I believe most court cases are unconstitutional, and that state sponsored prosecution without citizen demand for same is tantamount to feudalism.
What do they ask you?
2. Can you make an unbiased decision based upon and limited to the facts presented in this case?
3. Do you believe an individual is entited to a trial by a jury of his or her peers?
To number one, I answered 'No', honestly. To number two, I answered 'No one entered a court in America, as an adult, carrying no prejudicial background, no one, and not me'.
To number three I answered 'Not in all cases of criminal behavior, I'm not a peer to criminals and some people are career criminals based upon their lifetime of behavior which should always be open for review in a court of law. The law should be the friend of lawful citizens and the incarcerater of criminals.'
I second that notion.
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