OPINION:
Congress and state governments already have constitutional powers to “insure domestic Tranquility, provide for the common defense, promote the general Welfare” (“Police officers’ delayed action stirs talk about armed citizens,” Page 1, May 27).
Congress can “provide for calling forth the Militia to execute the Laws of the Union” and “provide for organizing, arming, and disciplining, the Militia … ” The “militia” of the United States consists of all able-bodied boys and men ages 17 to 45 years of age; some states include girls and women, too, ages 17 to 64.
Sheriffs typically have authority under state posse comitatus laws to use the “unorganized militia” to enforce state laws. State governments could efficiently augment their law enforcement by encouraging each unorganized militia member to acquire a personal firearm of standard military caliber. Sheriffs could store a supply of ammunition of standard military caliber and issue guns to the unorganized militia under state law.
There are over 18 million living veterans in America. I believe many of us would eagerly volunteer to augment local law enforcement and protect schools.
JOE BOYETT
Montgomery, Alabama
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