Connecticut militia members sue state

Photo courtesy of 1st Company Governor’s Foot Guard

By Zachary Janowski | Raising Hale

Members of one of Connecticut’s ceremonial militia units are suing the state for allegedly seizing $10,000 worth of private ammunition, terminating a lease and failing to pay members for training.

State officials claim the unit – the 1st Company Governor’s Foot Guard – has not kept its weapons and ammunition secure, and that it was within the state’s right to terminate the lease and not pay the members for training.

The militia unit’s board of trustees do not control the 1st Company; under a unique statutory arrangement dating back to 1885, the state created a special corporate entity so the trustees could own and maintain the unit’s armory.

Although the unit is ceremonial in function today, it still falls under the command of Brig. Gen. Thaddeus Martin, adjutant general of the Connecticut Military Department.

“The trustees dispute with the Military Department is consuming resources better spent on the department’s mission and has adversely affected the good order and discipline of the 1st Company Governor’s Foot Guard,” said Col. John Whitford, spokesman for the Connecticut National Guard.

In response to the lawsuit, Susan Kinsman, spokeswoman for Attorney General George Jepsen, said the claims are “without merit.” …

“The adjutant general discovered that members of the foot guard were involved in unsafe weapons and ammunition practices and took affirmative action to stop it,” Kinsman said. “As a result, they ultimately lost the state’s lease of their armory and filed these claims.”

To read the full story, please click on this link http://www.raisinghale.com/2013/02/02/mutiny-connecticut-militia-members-sue-state/

Posted February 20, 2013, excerpted with permission of the author

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