personal defense range train training
GSL Defense Training (image by John Boch)

By Lee Williams

The small town of Pawlet, Vermont – population 1,386 – has been feuding with Daniel Banyai for years over two shooting ranges he built on the 30-acre property he’s owned since 2013.    

Neighbors complained about the noise and said Banyai and his friends are super scary. Town officials said Banyai built structures on his land without applying for any zoning permits. 

In 2021 Banyai told the Associated Press his property, which he calls Slate Ridge, is a “safe and environmentally friendly place for people to discharge their firearms.”

None of that mattered to Pawlet town officials. After their initial zoning efforts failed, they sued Banyai in Vermont’s Environmental Court, which ordered him to remove the unpermitted structures and earthen berms within 135 days. Banyai ignored the ruling, and in February the Environmental Court held Banyai in contempt of court. He has been racking up civil fines at the rate of $200 per day ever since.

“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,” Vermont Environmental Court Judge Thomas Durkin said in his order. 

Attempts to contact Banyai for this story were unsuccessful. 

Lawfare

After municipal and environmental laws failed, town officials approached Vermont State Senator Phillip Baruth for help. He quickly sponsored a bill making it a felony to operate a “paramilitary training camp” within the state. 

Baruth, a liberal Democrat from Burlington, admitted he introduced the bill after Pawlet officials complained there was no state law that they could use to force Banyai to shutter his private ranges on his private property. 

This week, Vermont’s Gov. Phil Scott – a Republican – signed the bill into law. 

§ 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.

United States Code defines a civil disorder as “any public disturbance involving acts of violence by assemblages of three or more persons, which causes an immediate danger of or results in damage or injury to the property or person of any other individual.”

The new law does not apply to “legitimate law enforcement activity,” or “educational institutions where military science is taught.” It also doesn’t apply to “self-defense instruction or practice without the intent of causing a civil disorder; firearms instruction that is intended to teach the safe handling and use of firearms; and any lawful sports or activities like hunting, target shooting and firearms collection.”

Anyone who violates the paramilitary training law faces up to five years in prison and a $50,000 fine.

As you can imagine, the gun ban industry celebrated the new legislation.

“Today, Vermont joins 25 other states that prohibit firearms training for anti-government paramilitary activity,” Allison Anderman, senior counsel and leader of Giffords’ Guns & Democracy project said in a statement. “Private paramilitary activity is illegal in Vermont and has been associated with the intimidation of people exercising their constitutional rights across the US. This is a commonsense policy that will help reduce the spread of dangerous, illegal, and anti-government firearms intimidation.”

High potential for abuse

Vermont’s new law and others like it are – by design – so overly broad and vague they could easily be used to force almost any private range out of business. It’s all about the definitions. After all, we’ve seen how one man’s political protest can become another’s insurrection.

woman shooting range ar-15 rifle training practice
(Shutterstock)

Nowadays, what’s antigovernment? It’s no secret Joe Biden isn’t popular among many range-goers. Do RSOs now need to search vehicles for Let’s Go Brandon bumper-stickers? 

What constitutes paramilitary training? Would teaching gunfighting rather than target shooting violate the law? How about Tac-Med classes or a mini-SERE course? How long before IPSC, IDPA or 3-Gun competitions are banned? 

How is a firearms instructor supposed to know whether their students intend to use their training in furtherance of a civil disorder? Should they interrogate their students about their political beliefs? Do they need to issue written loyalty oaths and recite the Pledge of Allegiance before the safety brief? 

Besides, we’ve all seen how the gun-banners and their sycophants in the legacy media pounce whenever they see a III-percenter patch or something similar at a pro-gun rally. To them, the whole crowd instantly becomes extremists rather than law-abiding Second-Amendment supporters. 

I don’t know Mr. Banyai’s politics and quite frankly I do not care. He and his guests have a First Amendment right to assemble and a Second Amendment right to practice their riflery, regardless of what Pawlet’s 1,386 residents think. 

The politicians responsible for these blatantly unconstitutional infringements should be ashamed. 

 

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This story is part of the Second Amendment Foundation’s Investigative Journalism Project and is published here with their permission.

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106 COMMENTS

  1. Yes, lawfare at its finest, including an appearance by the thought police.

    “But where are the clowns, send in the clowns
    Don’t bother, they’re here.”
    – J. Collins

    • “This week, Vermont’s Gov. Phil Scott – a Republican – signed the bill into law.

      § 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,”

      Yep, no teaching people how to shoot, thanks Republicans!

      • “Yep, no teaching people how to shoot, thanks Republicans!”

        Hey dumb@$$.. Read the article… ” town officials approached Vermont State Senator Phillip Baruth for help..” “Baruth, a liberal Democrat from Burlington, admitted he introduced the bill…”

        Now.. Don’t you feel like an idiot?

        • Did you sleep through civics class?

          The bill was just writing on a piece of paper until “Vermont’s Gov. Phil Scott – a Republican – signed the bill into law”.

          “a Republican – signed the bill into law”

          Now.. Don’t you feel like an idiot?

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        • He doesnt understand that governors don’t get to just veto anything they want, theres a reason for legislature after all.
          Plus, if he vetos something that would automatically win in a revote (overriding the veto) then all it did was hurt his career to no effect.

      • nice slice and dice move there, pardner.
        RED the lw as quotee above. It says those things are prohibited when they have the INTENTION of training for insurrection or civil uprising.

        Teaching the skills simpliciter is not against the law. Thus range operator is simply providing a facility for the learning of skills. He is not proting insurrection or otehr ilegal activity USING those skills.

        I can teach a kid to drive a car, but if he goes and turns that car into a mass murder tool, that’s on HIM not me.

        • Burlington to start. Basically the same issue every North East state has re city vs rural populations.

      • I did not know that you could not be a member of a group or Club that was designated by the government, then you could not practice your civil rights. Thank you for telling me that.

        I assume you agree with your fellow s0ci@list Pr0gressive Vermont Gov. That membership in a group is cause for the denial of you practicing your civil rights.

      • MINOR Miner49er, Seems like you don’t know the difference between a a Republican and a RINO.

      • And it was popularized by the singer Judy Collins. Sam’s attribution is correct.

        Sondheim: “And then my memory is that Judy Collins picked it up, but she recorded it in England; Sinatra heard it and recorded it. And between the two of them, they made it a hit.”

        At the Grammy Awards of 1976, the Collins performance of the song was named Song of the Year. — Wiki

        • no name,

          Oh, MajorLiar is fond to trying to appear erudite, to make a point.

          The only point he’s ever made is the one on top of his head.

        • Walter,

          That sounds very much like being “the World’s Tallest Midget”. And he isn’t even a very good clown.

  2. Guess what,,,
    Vermont’s Republican Governor is what a real patriot would call a R I N O,
    But then again, Vermont is another blue piece of crap state.
    The people get what they vote for.

  3. I mean, the guy built structures without getting permits from the town. Not that I agree with or advocate the overly controlling regulations and laws (I know, I live in Broward County), but Banyai pretty much kicked the hornet’s nest on this one. Rather than ignore the town on the zoning violations, he could have negotiated with the zoning manager of the town (again, my personal experience in this) and possibly worked something out mutually agreeable. Sometimes stuff doesn’t have to be torn down or taken out completely for them to inspect and issue the permits. Its a pain in the @$$, but it beats instigating legislation like this that go beyond affecting just him and his range. Negotiation seems to be forgotten term these days…

    • “Negotiation seems to be forgotten term these days…”

      You cannot negotiate with yourself.

      You cannot negotiate with emotions.

      You cannot negotiate with irrationality.

      You cannot negotiate with tyrants.

      Sometimes the only way to end a bad law is to defy it.

      All-in-all, it seems some of the adolescents of adult age in the community discovered the actual purpose of the Second Amendment, and wet their undies.

    • You are correct, this numb nuts did not want to negotiate from the very beginning, and used doxxing as a strategy:

      “Banyai also publicly posted information, such as home and work addresses, about neighbors, local officials and people who spoke out against his operation.“

      https://vtdigger.org/2023/05/08/gov-phil-scott-signs-bill-that-prohibits-paramilitary-training-camps/amp/

      Honestly, these gun nut extremists are actually setting gun rights back, good job Republicans!

      • MajorLiar,

        Oh, us plebes are not entitled to know where out “public servants” live, etc,? Nice to know that your social list pretensions are as hollow as your pretensions to intelligence. You really have not consistent political philosophy or world view, do you, MajorLiar??? Anything that YOU think advances your Leftist/fascist agenda is OK with you.

        Not that we didn’t know that, already, but thanks for the confirmation, you clown.

        • Lol i dox the school board ever time they call for tax increases to show none of them live in the school district.

      • Again, MINOXR Miner49er, you don’t know the difference between a Republican and a RINO.

    • I’ll lay some significant bux at long odds the “structures” as built are of a type that does not require a permit. No footings, below a certain size limit, etc. In my county I can build anything up to acertain square footage no permit, and I can build anything as long as it is not in a permanent foundation. Pier pads resting on bare dirt is NOT a “findation”. Poured slab and structure not “attached” (bolted, etc) to that slab is not a “structure” needing a Mother May I iec of paying paper nor any inspections. this guy seems smart enough to have studied the limits, and to keep himself within them.

      they have their knickers all beknotted because m gunnz

  4. It is precisely the LACK of training that causes so many accidents. Without ranges, there is very little thought given to safety and proper handling concerns within the general population. Besides, I’ve always been told ‘by democrats’ that people need to be trained…that no one is skilled enough. Well, this is where so much of it starts.

    • The paradox of doublethink. People should receive training to use firearms safely but at same time there should be no facilities for proper training.

  5. The last that I heard was that the state has to prove that you are breaking the law instead of you proving that you are not. This is reversed in Marxist states.

  6. Invert the colors on the B2 silhouette, the “target” is now white. Insteuct students to shoot the white center telling them how to “miss all the black around the target as those are all people and you are shooting between them.”

  7. I will give you just one guess who wins in court, the Town or the Paramilitary Lunatic Fringe.

    Obviously the locals did not get frightened over a legitimate shooting range as they saw the kind of nut cases hanging out on this new range. No one was fooled for an instant.

    • darcydodo…As long as you were not there hanging around loitering with your insane brand of nazi, kkk finger pointing I would imagine everyone there probably looked quite sane.

    • “No one was fooled for an instant.”

      Well, obviously, somebody was…

    • But, but . . . I thought you and MajorLiar were ALL ABOUT mandatory training as a requirement to own a gun???? And what about the whole “the 2A ONLY protects ‘well-regulated’ militias”???????? Wouldn’t a “well-regulated miitia” imply adequate training??

      Or are you two @$$clowns just loud-mouth hypocrites, who hate the idea of free people having inherent rights??? Hmmm, guess I just answered my own question.

      • “I thought you and MajorLiar were ALL ABOUT mandatory training as a requirement to own a gun????”

        Once again you intentionally misrepresent my position in order to further your flawed narrative.

        As I’ve stated many times, I believe a person should be required to undergo mandatory training before they carry a firearm in public spaces.

        And the situation at hand was not a normal range with reasonable firearms training activities:

        “The owner of Slate Ridge, Daniel Banyai, allegedly harassed and threatened neighbors and hosted militia groups on the property while teaching classes that focused on “professional gunfighting.” Neighbors reported hearing rapid gunfire and explosions, and Banyai posted many of the facility’s activities on its public social media accounts, which have since been deactivated.

        Banyai also publicly posted information, such as home and work addresses, about neighbors, local officials and people who spoke out against his operation.”

        https://vtdigger.org/2023/05/08/gov-phil-scott-signs-bill-that-prohibits-paramilitary-training-camps/amp/

        Lamprey, I understand that you want to protect the seditionist training centers set up by the right wing nationalist domestic terrorists, and I’m sure the observers on this list are making a note of your aid and comfort to domestic enemies of the United States.

        • “Once again you intentionally misrepresent my position in order to further your flawed narrative.”

          Liar49er, how does it feel to have one of your favorite tactics used against you?

    • dacian, the DUNDERHEAD, Wrong, yet again. Apparently you have no clue about the 2nd Amendment, let alone the Constitution or the US Court system.

  8. The Preamble to the Bill of Rights
    “THE Conventions of a number of the States, having at the time of their adopting the Constitution, expressed a desire, in order to prevent MISCONSTUCTION or ABUSE of its powers, that further DECLARATORY and RESTRICTIVE clauses should be added: And as extending the ground of public confidence in the Government, will best ensure the beneficent ends of its institution.”
    The first 10 amendments to the constitution RESTRICT government interference – they do not “give the people rights”.
    2A
    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.

    In 1791 WELL REGULATED meant will trained or functioning. A Militia is a military organization made up of private citizens.

    Hence I would say this law is illegal.

    • “In 1791 WELL REGULATED meant will trained or functioning“

      You are incorrect.
      Websters dictionary of 1828 does not mention the words “trained or functioning”

      “REG’ULATE, verb transitive

      1. To adjust by rule, method or established mode; as, to regulate weights and measures; to regulate the assize of bread; to regulate our moral conduct by the laws of God and of society; to regulate our manners by the customary forms.

      2. To put in good order; as, to regulate the disordered state of a nation or its finances.

      3. To subject to rules or restrictions; as, to regulate trade; to regulate diet.”

      https://webstersdictionary1828.com/Dictionary/regulate#:~:text=1.,manners%20by%20the%20customary%20forms.

      “To adjust by rule” Indicates the militia should be subject to rules, and the constitution further states that ‘Congress shall prescribe the discipline for the militia”.

      So yes, under the United States Constitution Congress has the authority to regulate the militia, in all aspects, under the second amendment.

      • “So yes, under the United States Constitution Congress has the authority to regulate the militia, in all aspects, under the second amendment.”

        Totally, entirely, completely wrong. But consider the source — its Liar49er.

        The phrase “well-regulated” was in common use long before 1789, and remained so for a century thereafter. It referred to the property of something being in proper working order. Something that was well-regulated was calibrated correctly, functioning as expected. Establishing government oversight of the people’s arms was not only not the intent in using the phrase in the 2nd amendment, it was precisely to render the government powerless to do so that the founders wrote it. — https://constitution.org/1-Constitution/cons/wellregu.htm

      • So how long did it take you to fabricate that 1828 dictionary entry? More likely you just plagiarized it from another pseudo source, you do rather like your cut and paste.

      • MINOR Miner49er, It seems that you Anti-Gun Radicals tried that in the Heller and McDonald cases and it did not work. I suggest you read both of these landmark cases. Take your time. I know that such reading for your kind of Leftist is very difficult.

  9. They scream that we can’t have guns because we aren’t a militia, then they make joining a militia illegal…

    The left won’t be happy until the rest of us are in concentration camps.

    • This was my thought too. Like I keep telling the wife, stop changing the rules and make up my mind!

    • Exactly what the left wants. Remember the left views gun owners as sub-human. Eventually the Socialist will run out of prison space and people willing to lock up their family and friends.

      • Att Moderator: WTH with “Your comment is awaiting moderation” every time I post something.

  10. Blatant oppression. This man has been wronged by an oppressive government. The tories have retaken control.

  11. Those using the range are scary looking? How so? Gang tattoos? Biker leathers? Maybe camo clothing and ball caps? Black suits and cheap sunglasses? Military uniforms?
    Noise complaints? Is this range inside the city limits or in an outlying area? Late night shooting programs or mid day recreational shooting?
    Para-military training? Or country boys in old camo or surplus jackets Is this a business or just something done on private property with structures set up for safety? A little light on hard info in this article other than the lawfare and idiotic legislation.

  12. ‘Antigovernment Paramilitary Training Camps’? In’t being bale to keep the government in check the whole A2 is all about?

  13. Yeah, this wasn’t simply a “private shooting range”, but keep stoking that hatred, Zimmerman.

    • LOL you are apparently not familiar with VT, NH, MA, and Upstate NY gun ranges and the reactions karens tend to have to their very existence. If there was any paramilitary shit that actually happened then it can be a fun 2nd amendment case till then this is just town board doing typical karen shit.

    • jsled (henceforth to be referred to as “jokecommie”),

      “Yeah, this wasn’t simply a “private shooting range”. And he never claimed it was “simply” a private shooting facility. It was a shooting facility which he used to provide firearm and tactical training. As for the whole “stoking hate” thing – if God struck people down for being lying hypocrites, you, MajorLiar, and dacian the demented would all need 24/7 lightning rods.

      Ever been to that facility? Ever taken any of the courses? What’s the course list look like? What is the demographic makeup of the students? You got no idea – because you’re a lying, Leftist/fascist propagandist, and hypocrite, and a lying liar who lies. And you’re not even a COMPETENT lying Leftist/fascist propagandist – even the halfwit MajorLiar is better at this than your drive-by idiocy. Go fornicate yourself with a telephone pole, you trash excuse for a human being.

    • You are correct, this is actually a group of bad actors and the proprietor has a criminal record:

      “In the past two weeks, men from Slate Ridge have surrounded individual neighbors in attempts to intimidate them. Banyai also threatened to kill bow hunters who had been near his property.”
      “He is currently prohibited from owning or purchasing firearms and, according to an ATF bulletin issued earlier this year, had refused to follow orders to surrender his guns.”

      https://vtdigger.org/2020/10/29/militia-training-site-terrifies-neighbors-in-west-pawlet/

      Just more responsible gun owners, doing their best to advance the cause of firearms freedom in America!

      Bullshit, these are the types of gun owners that reasonable Americans should not tolerate within the ranks of POTG.

      These folks are the reason that prudent citizens are calling for gun control laws.

      • “These folks are the reason that prudent citizens are calling for gun control laws.”

        Prudent (exercising good judgment or common sense) citizens don’t believe that laws will stop criminals from criminaling.

        It’s been proven over and over and over again, Liar49er. Why are you in favor of restricting the rights of law-abiding citizens?

      • MajorLiar,

        Since you are “into” (supposedly) precise use of language, what is the definition of “allegation”, and what is the definition of “proof”. There is an extensive record that the neighbors objected to the noise, complained about it, etc. (FWIW, If I were going to set up a training facility, I’d find more property, but that’s a “me” thing.)

        And the local authorities could find NO LAW that was being violated – until they cajoled a Leftist/fascist legislator into inventing one for them. Banyai may, or may not, have been an insurrectionist. Allegations mean diddly squat until proven in court . . . which you would know, if you were marginally sentient (which you aren’t).

        I don’t know if the guy is just a good guy providing useful training, or a guy intent on “Revolution Two: The Boogaloo” . . . and NEITHER DO YOU, you f***ing lying @$$clown. You throw out “allegations”, reported by (I’m TOTES sure) “independent reporters”, as if they were facts.

        You are a vile, pathetic excuse for an actual human. But you are an excellent example of the absolute hypocrisy of the Leftist/fascists. Keep on keepin’ on, MajorLiar, and remember all this when/as/if your Leftist/fascist buddies stand you up against the wall – the “revolution” always eats its own, first. You and Robespierre have a nice time in Hell.

        • 49 is the same kind of person who would turn in their neighbors to the ss, stasi and kgb only because they didn’t like them.

      • MINOR Miner49er, The B/S is all yours. These so called “neighbors” were trying to intimidate the gun owners, Seems you Lefties just love to try to reverse and interrupt facts to suit your purpose.

  14. But I thought they wanted us to get training? So much so it should be mandatory.

    Maybe noise-complaining Karen’s should get on board with silencer proliferation.

    • Hmmm…so the NRA/ILL state rifle association in Bonfield,ILL(near Kankakee) is members only. Went there as a kid. Little did I know it was a militia training ground for raciss white folks🙄😆🙃

      • Nah, the racist shoiting clubs exists in Ohio according to a poster here. He is a member you know.

  15. Citizens of a suburb of Pittsburgh, Pa are screeching about an open air gun range because the noise, the noise and their snowflake children are wetting themselves walking to school. The protests are predictably hysterical. The range is owned by the city and is used for police training. Go figure. The mayor has said the situation won’t be changing anytime soon which is kind of remarkable since he is a raging liberal.

  17. FWIW:
    “In the past two weeks, men from Slate Ridge have surrounded individual neighbors in attempts to intimidate them. Banyai also threatened to kill bow hunters who had been near his property.”
    “He is currently prohibited from owning or purchasing firearms and, according to an ATF bulletin issued earlier this year, had refused to follow orders to surrender his guns.”

    https://vtdigger.org/2020/10/29/militia-training-site-terrifies-neighbors-in-west-pawlet/

    • “unpermitted use”

      I read the article. And it appears that this is a situation where the neighbors and local residents for whatever reason,m don’t seem to get along with each other. For the health and safety of everyone this needs to improve. And the best way to do this is for them to talk to each other.

      Also this is a property rights issue. Something that I thought Libertarians believed in. The fact that the term “unpermitted use” even appears here should send alarm Bells off for the so-called libertarians.

      It’s the Libertarians that should be protesting against this local government that is trying to harass property owners out of using their property as they see fit.

  18. A number of us here surmise that lil’ d, Minor Irratant, and the Slimy Limey are three different personas of the same demented anencephalic skull, depending on which and/or how many voices are controlling the pie hole.

  19. I always thought Vermont was probably a decent place, even though it’s in the big blue northeast.
    The only state with constitutional carry from day one of this republic.
    Then a few years ago they got a mag capacity law.
    Now militia type training is illegal.
    Commie Bastards

    • “Now militia type training is illegal.
      Commie Bastards“

      You do realize, thanks to the Republicans, Florida has the exact same law:

      “Florida Statutes 790.29 – Paramilitary training; teaching or participation prohibited
      Current as of: 2022 | Check for updates | Other versions
      (1) This act shall be known and may be cited as the “State Antiparamilitary Training Act.”
      (2) As used in this section, the term “civil disorder” means a public disturbance involving acts of violence by an assemblage of three or more persons, which disturbance causes an immediate danger of, or results in, damage or injury to the property or person of any other individual within the United States.
      (3)(a) Whoever teaches or demonstrates to any other person the use, application, or making of any firearm, destructive device, or technique capable of causing injury or death to persons, knowing or having reason to know or intending that the same will be unlawfully employed for use in, or in furtherance of, a civil disorder within the United States, is guilty of a felony of the third degree, punishable as provided in s. 775.082, s. 775.083, or s. 775.084.“

      https://www.lawserver.com/law/state/florida/statutes/florida_statutes_790-29

      If you people had any true experience or knowledge about the regulation of firearms and paramilitary training in the United States, you would know who Frank camper is and how Florida came to have this law.

      • minor irritant
        I really don’t care about any of the unconstitutional laws your so fond of.
        I’m an independent, to me that means I usually don’t agree with any of our pols.
        All of my training is done on private property thats large enough that nobody knows what we do let alone cares.
        All I’ll say is it’s measured in square miles not acres. We do as we please.

      • Liar49er, you left off subsection 4:

        (4) Nothing contained in this section shall be construed to prohibit any act of a law enforcement officer which is performed in connection with the lawful performance of his or her official duties or to prohibit the training or teaching of the use of weapons to be used for hunting, recreation, competition, self-defense or the protection of one’s person or property, or other lawful use.

        • no name,

          MajorLiar omitted a fact from his idiot rant??? Quelle surprise!!!!

          “Facts” for MajorLiar are those bits of information/allegation/innuendo/biased reporting which advance his narrative. He uses them as it suits his purpose.

  20. Well the response to this is simple. The first question to be asked would be is why a significant number of people would resort to that type of behavior and training if they felt they actually lived in a free country without contrived controls to disarm the American Public? The second would be that the 2nd Amendment clarifies a citizens’ rights to bear arms and a right to self-defense. The Founding Fathers were particularly specific in their feeling about tyrannical Governments. They developed a constitution that assured the citizens of this Country freedom. Given the nonsense going on today people not only have the right to train and use firearms but to use them to resist a government that does not obey the Constitution itself and violates its Oath to that document on a daily basis. Be assured that the American Public who is purchasing one million firearms a month will not allow these socialists to take their firearms or their freedom and will fight and win if necessary. That outcome is assured.
    Molon Labe

    • dprato,

      “That to secure these rights, Governments are instituted among Men, deriving their just powers from the consent of the governed, –That whenever any Form of Government becomes destructive of these ends, it is the Right of the People to alter or to abolish it, and to institute new Government, laying its foundation on such principles and organizing its powers in such form, as to them shall seem most likely to effect their Safety and Happiness.”

      Not sure what part of that simple idea is beyond the ken of halfwits, but, then . . . they’re halfwits.

      I have no idea if Banyai is some “early adopter” revolutionary . . . and I don’t care. If he violated a valid law, he should be liable for his violation. If he’s a revolutionary, hey, my dude, that comes with the territory. He deserves due process, a jury of his peers, and not being pilloried for having his own view of the world.

      Don’t know the guy, know nothing about his facility, or his training (other than the crap being shouted out by our “independent” free press). From what has been reported . . . I would have tried to structure things differently than him. My preferences aren’t law, and shouldn’t be.

      High-handed, ignorant @$$hats, like MajorLiar, can have “opinions” all they want . . . and we all know the relationship between opinions and certain body parts.

  21. (waiting for bulk power to get pjm approval…)
    they’ve changed a bit since the green mountain boys and being first to abolish slavery, they have unlicensed concealed and open carry. now the highest irreligious in the country, ben & jerry’s, 3rd largest captive insurance in the world behind only bermuda and the caymans. 99.9% renewable in state electrical generation coupled with the lowest consumption in the states. highest lgbt (let’s go brandon, twice) of all states with 5.3% identifying as such.
    fun facts: larger than el salvador, smaller than haiti, it was originally connected to africa.
    as for the target range, proximity to other residents would seem key.

  22. This is a property rights issue. Locals seem to be upset with another private citizens private business operations. If this was a p0rn/sez toy store? The Libertarians and their ACLU friends would be filing legal papers, against the city government for harassing a legal private business.
    Buy they are MIA.

  23. I have no issue with III%red or OathKeepers.
    Let’s not forget there are actually ISIS and ANTIFA training camps as well.
    That being said how you advertise and what you advertise makes a difference.
    If he had asked about the structures from the get go and either gotten permits or built them in a way where the zoning dudes state you don’t need one would this have stopped everything? Probably not.
    Threatening neighbors is not the way to go.
    Being a prohibited person is a bold statement. Was this from a conviction or a trumped up red flag law?
    Sometimes you have to play nice to keep yourself from getting caught up in the conflict.

  24. America, land of the free.
    NOT.
    Its getting to the point
    Your no fun anymore
    I am sorry
    You are you
    I am me
    And you make it hard.
    .
    Freedom.
    Where do those Brownies get all them nice cell phones?
    Who supplies the carriers?
    Where do they recharge them?
    Say, those are some nice clothes coming from a 3rd world country. How did you come by that?
    We had to cross rivers full of snakes and alligators.
    America, land of the free,,,,— unless your a citezen.
    Remember the pie Alamo’ed
    Jefferson Airplane had an album called
    Volunteers
    ,hello Texas

    • As Tonto said to the Lone Ranger when they were surrounded by hostile Indians:

      “What do you mean “we,” paleface?”

      Agent6 — who forbids it?

    • But, you can have your well regulated militia…..they merely must be untrained, blundering idiots, in groups of less than three…….aka Libturds only, please.

  26. *sigh* – It was already illegal to train others to cause civil disorder (18 U.S.C. § 231). This is just a bunch of Karens upset over noise from a range wasting tax dollars in an attempt to bankrupt one dude as he fights it in court.

    Hope he wins.

  28. The “it’s just an idea” group probably has a carve out,,, laws don’t apply to “it’s just an idea”.

  29. YEAH IF IT’S AN OUTDOOR RANGE , REALLY NEEDS TO FIGURE OUT IF CAN AFFORD TO BUILD AND INDOOR RANGE . WONDER IF REST COMMUNITY WOULD PITCH IN .
    NAW , JUST A THOUGHT .
    I HAVE LIVED AROUND OPEN DOOR RANGE , NOTA NICE SOUND PLACE TO BE , HELL ON DOG EARS.
    HE NOT A THOUGHTFUL NEIGHBOR , DOESN’T GIVE A DAMN WHAT SOUNDS HE MAKES
    LIKE , I CAN DO WHATEVER …

  30. Banyai (the range owner) is apparently a prohibited person due to prior felony convictions, according to an ATF bulletin. From the news articles I skimmed, it sounds like there is a lot more to this story than what is covered here. He was in the army only for 2 weeks and worked at a military contract firm that did no training and never got any contracts. He was billing himself as a qualified instructor based on being a former military contractor. Dude sounds pretty sketchy.

    https://en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/Slate_Ridge_Vermont

    • Well, by all means, let’s close down the range and throw the guy in prison, based on your skimming through some “news articles” and questionable Wikipedia, and your impression of his “sketchiness.” That sounds fair.

      • Moderated. Yesterday, I got away with tossing f-bombs and calling other posters a**holes. Today, because I mentioned the internet online encyclopedia that begins with a “w?”

      • I’m not saying that. My point is there seems to be more to this story that turned the town against him, like him threatening to shoot neighbors bowhunting near his property (and looking for a wounded deer), and widening an access road on his neighbors’s property without permission. Plus his apparent fake credentials (borderline stolen valor). This doesn’t exactly make me wanna crowd fund this guy or champion his case. He sounds pretty douchey.

  31. Another village that has collectively lost their minds and are seemingly unable to elect anyone with common sense.

  32. States Attack Private Shooting Ranges as ‘Anti -Tyrannical Government Paramilitary Training Camps’

    FIFY and Yes that’s exactly what they are and what they should be IMHO.
    Power To The People.
    2nd A All The Way
    God Bless America.

  33. This law has been a project of the ADL since the 1990s. Compare Minn. Stat. sec. 609.666.

    It’s passage is the turning point. Vermont comes off my list of states composing Free America.

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