Bundy militia

The Bundy militia is a loosely formed group of militants based in Clark County, Nevada, USA. It is also known as Bundy's militia or Bundy ranch militia. Cliven Bundy initially formed the militia from members of the Oath Keepers, by joining the Bundy Militia at a heavily armed militia camp near Bunkerville, Nevada in early April 2014.
Formation and Leadership
Clive Bundy formed, called up, and founded the Bundy Militia. Other members of the militia have assumed leadership roles in the battalion formation actions and armed conflicts, including Richard Mack, and Cliven Bundy's son, Ammon Bundy. Approximately 1000 militia members and supporters joined the fight.
"It's a brotherhood to the point where I would give my life for another," said militiaman Patrick Downs. in which the US Federal Government is not recognized as a valid authority. Members are willing to martyr themselves and their families for the cause. Some militia members embrace the beliefs of Christian identity, as shown by their banners and their language in podium speeches to the armed camp.
Militiamen associate themselves with the patriot movement and sovereign citizen or state citizen movement, whereas others align more with quasi-Christian apocalypticists, or combinations thereof. Adherents describe their militia movement as centered on a belief that individual liberties are in jeopardy due to unconstitutional actions taken by US Federal Government, US Bureau of Land Management, US National Park Service, US Forest Service appointed bureaucrats, or special interest groups. Journalists and researchers have associated the patriot movement with the right-wing militia movement They use Waco as a rallying cry.
Distinctive Style and Appearance
Members of the Bundy Militia distinctively wear camouflage military uniforms, protective vests and battle gear during armed conflicts. Some Bundy Militia dress in blue plaid shirts, cowboy hats, blue denim jeans, and cowboy boots, emulating the cowboy style of leader Clive Bundy. Many carry sidearms slung low on their hip with leather holsters in old west style. Some of the Bundy Militia are horse-mounted, moving in western cavalry formation style, waving flags and wielding guns.
Weaponry and Armaments Used
Bundy Militia is well-armed and has displayed a wide variety of handguns and long guns during conflicts. The armaments wielded or displayed in Bundy Militia actions include: revolvers, semi-automatic handguns, semi-automatic hunting rifles, pump action shotguns, AK47 and AR-15 style assault rifle weapons with large capacity magazines. Status of other armaments controlled by the militia is unknown.
Flags, Insignia, Slogans, or Identifying Markings
The Bundy Militia flies the Gadsden flag, also known as the Don't Tread On Me flag which dipicts a yellow field with a rattlesnake coiled and ready to strike. Various types of slogans and markings appear on the T-shirts of the militia members, such as the Bundy militia symbol. Patches on militia uniforms include the Gadsden flag and the American flag. Banners appear to show slogans such as "The West Was Won" and "The Fight Has Begun".
Demands and Objectives
At the Bundy Militia camp in Nevada, a stage with a public address system was set up for rallies. During one of the rallies, Cliven Bundy presented and read of a written list of militia demands to law enforcement officers present. The Bundy Militia demands the immediate disarmament of all US Federal Government officers in the area. The militia demands the teardown of all US Park Service entry booths. We have God on our side and we will be better prepared for them next time.<ref name=Bundy_Domestic_Terrorist_Daily_Mail/> People have been mobilized by what they have seen and heard and they will come here because they see it as their right to defend the land."<ref name=Bundy_Domestic_Terrorist_Daily_Mail/>
Tactics and Rules of Engagement
One of the militia leaders, Richard Mack, was interviewed describing their intention to use human shield tactics.<ref nameBundy_Militia_405_Media/><ref nameBundy_Domestic_Terrorist_Daily_Mail/> The militia organized the use of human shields<ref nameBundy_Militia_405_Media/><ref nameBundy_Domestic_Terrorist_Daily_Mail/> at the front of their column, consisting of a row of unarmed women and children.<ref name=Bundy_Domestic_Terrorist_Daily_Mail/>
Another militiaman, Patrick Downs, said, "I will never fire upon a federal agent first. Our rules of engagement are strictly do not fire until fired upon."<ref name=The_Bundy_Militia_Who_Are_They/>
Armed Conflicts and Confrontations
Around 10 April 2014, law enforcement officers were dispatched in response to the growing armed camp of Bundy Militia, alleged threats against local businesses, and alleged threatening statements by Bundy, such as calling for a "range war". Several armed confrontations ensued, with Bundy Militia members taking up sniper positions and wielding handguns.
On 12 April, a militia attack on a roundup corral<ref name=HuffPostBundyMilitia/> was organized by Cliven Bundy. Militia snipers took up parapet positions along concrete highway barriers and rocky abutments. Militia snipers pointed long guns at law enforcement personnel during a hostile interaction at a cattle corral under a bridge on Interstate 15 at geographic coordinates . Militia members on foot wielded assault weapons against cars and trucks on Interstate 15 to stop traffic at geographic coordinates . A force of 1000 militia members<ref nameReutersBundyMilitia/> faced off about a dozen law enforcement officers<ref nameHuffPostBundyMilitia/> issuing tear gas warnings by vehicle loudspeakers.
The use of force of arms in these conflicts elevated the Bundy Militia to the status of a Violent Non-State Actor. They have been called domestic terrorists.<ref nameBundys_Militia_TPM_Article/><ref nameBundy_Domestic_Terrorist_Daily_Mail/>
Media Coverage
Many media outlets have covered Bundy militia actions with text, image, and video.<ref name=ReutersBundyMilitia/>

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