Displaying its continuing contempt for the federal government, the Arizona legislature is considering a bill that would put more guns on our border in the hands of a volunteer militia under the direction of Governor Brewer. The proposed law known as SB1083, if passed and signed into law by our scorpion-eating governor, would create an “Arizona Special Missions Unit” at the bargain price of $1.4 million dollars.
The militia would consist entirely of volunteers who would provide their own weapons, except those which may be requisitioned by the governor from the Dept. of Defense. Of course, that would be no problem as the state is filled with heavily armed zealots with itchy trigger fingers. Indeed, the existing armaments of many Arizona civilians would be the envy of many of the worlds armies.
The bill would permit the unit to apprehend suspects and seize property. It would also provide immunity from prosecution for the volunteers for their actions while on duty. The bill provides for payment of up to $100 per day while on duty and up to $50 for one day of training per month.
Teapublican sponsors of the bill say it will aide the US Border Patrol and National Guard in stopping illegal immigration. But given the fact that the AZ Lege is on the verge of passing another birther bill, one assumes Governor Brewer might take her finger wagging to the next level and direct the unit to arrest President Obama on his next visit.
More realistically, the bill is likely to loose dozens of Dirty Harry wannabes in the mold of George Zimmerman on our international border. (George Zimmerman is, of course, the Sanford, Florida neighborhood watch captain who trailed an unarmed teenager and allegedly gunned him down in self-defense.)
What could possibly go wrong with that?