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Gov. Phil Scott signs bill that prohibits paramilitary training camps
Gov. Phil Scott signs bill that prohibits paramilitary training camps
By Emma Cotton
May 8 2023
Gov. Phil Scott signed S.3 into law Monday morning, making paramilitary training illegal in Vermont. ... Under the new law, a person cannot teach others to use or make firearms or explosives capable of causing injury or death, or teach techniques that could cause injury or death, if the person knows or should know that the activity “is intended to be used in or in furtherance of a civil disorder.”
The bill also prohibits people from assembling for the purpose of learning how to make or use firearms or techniques that further civil disorder. ... A person who violates the law could be imprisoned for up to five years and fined up to $50,000. ... The law gives the attorney general or a state’s attorney authority to bring immediate action to restrain the activity if it’s in the interest of the public good.
Senate President Pro Tempore Phil Baruth, D/P-Chittenden Central, introduced the bill, in part because of the state’s inability to stop activity at Slate Ridge, a paramilitary training facility in West Pawlet. ... 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. ... Still, after news broke of Slate Ridge’s activities and neighbors’ fear, Scott said the state’s hands were tied — Banyai had not broken state laws.
{snip}
Similar laws already exist in 25 other states. It’s important, Baruth said, for all 50 states to indicate “where they are at this moment in time on this kind of activity.”
{snip}
About Emma
Emma Cotton is a Report for America corps member who covers the environment, climate change, energy and agriculture. Previously, she covered Rutland and Bennington counties for VTDigger, wrote for the Addison Independent and served as assistant editor of Vermont Sports and VT Ski + Ride magazines. Emma studied marine science and journalism at Eckerd College in St. Petersburg, Florida.
Email: emma@vtdigger.org
By Emma Cotton
May 8 2023
Gov. Phil Scott signed S.3 into law Monday morning, making paramilitary training illegal in Vermont. ... Under the new law, a person cannot teach others to use or make firearms or explosives capable of causing injury or death, or teach techniques that could cause injury or death, if the person knows or should know that the activity “is intended to be used in or in furtherance of a civil disorder.”
The bill also prohibits people from assembling for the purpose of learning how to make or use firearms or techniques that further civil disorder. ... A person who violates the law could be imprisoned for up to five years and fined up to $50,000. ... The law gives the attorney general or a state’s attorney authority to bring immediate action to restrain the activity if it’s in the interest of the public good.
Senate President Pro Tempore Phil Baruth, D/P-Chittenden Central, introduced the bill, in part because of the state’s inability to stop activity at Slate Ridge, a paramilitary training facility in West Pawlet. ... 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. ... Still, after news broke of Slate Ridge’s activities and neighbors’ fear, Scott said the state’s hands were tied — Banyai had not broken state laws.
{snip}
Similar laws already exist in 25 other states. It’s important, Baruth said, for all 50 states to indicate “where they are at this moment in time on this kind of activity.”
{snip}
About Emma
Emma Cotton is a Report for America corps member who covers the environment, climate change, energy and agriculture. Previously, she covered Rutland and Bennington counties for VTDigger, wrote for the Addison Independent and served as assistant editor of Vermont Sports and VT Ski + Ride magazines. Emma studied marine science and journalism at Eckerd College in St. Petersburg, Florida.
Email: emma@vtdigger.org
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