by John Price
Gunning Bedford, Jr. had earlier confirmed State House weekend security details with a member of his association who was employed in the Montana State Treasurer’s office. He knew that their occupation of the State House would be opposed by a single aged security guard. What to do with the guard during their building occupation was a question that occupied no small amount of planning. Eventually, Gunning’s posse of ten, nine men and Betty Jean representing the female gun owners of the State, decided to place the guard in a room with a member assigned who would keep watch on him and provide food during the occupation. Their plans for the guard were based on the assumption that he wouldn’t have a heart attack when he first realized what was happening.
Doug and his son, recently returned from a stint with the military in Afghanistan, had volunteered to enter the State House and disable the guard. At 9 PM on Friday night the two, wearing small back packs, both dressed in plaid shirts and blue jeans, walked up the steps of the entry limited to employees. They slowly pushed open the large carved wooden door. They were greeted by the smiling elderly guard who said, “Howdy, gents, what brings you to the State House this late on a Friday night?”
The visitors to the State House smiled back and Doug said, “Well, ol’ partner, we’re actually here about the anti-gun bill, don’t ya know.”
“Wrong place gents, you need to go a little east of here, over to DC and talk to those boy geniuses. Nobody in this building, far as I can tell, supports taking away our guns.”
As Doug was talking with the guard, his son slowly edged to his right side, then with a swift move placed one hand on the guard’s holstered gun, and his other hand on the guard’s arm.
The move took the veteran security employee by surprise, “Whoa, watcha doing there, son?”
Doug moved to the guard’s other side, securing his left arm. “Sorry, ol’ partner, but we’re going to have to ask you to relax and enjoy the next few hours. We’re here to make a statement against taking away our guns, not to do you any harm. You’ll be fine. We have some food for you and we’ll find an office here with a TV, and maybe a coach, so you can be as comfortable as possible. I’m going to put these zip cuffs on you, with your hands in front, real loose, so you’ll be comfortable and can even feed yourself.”
“Well, boys, I sure hope you know whatcha doin’. You might have a good message, can’t say I disagree with ya, but you’ll go to jail, sure as shootin’.”
Doug pushed the send button on his cell phone, signaling his compatriots that it was safe to follow their path into the building. They were quick to respond and pushed through the now cleared entry door, carrying several containers with firearms, food and communication devices. Within minutes the building’s guard, with his new unofficial guard, were secured in a room off of the legislative chambers. The others decided to scout out the Rotunda and halls of the building to determine the best location for their media event, the areas that might be breached if an assault were to occur and the area from which seven of them planned to escape late Sunday night.
After some deliberation, Gunning made the final decision that the media event would take place in the Rotunda, the circular area in the middle of the State House, supporting the Capitol dome. They opened the communication case and proceeded to hook up a television camera that would broadcast their occupation message to the world via You-Tube. A large yellow Don’t Tread on Me flag was unfurled and secured to the wall in the Rotunda. The flag, which portrayed a coiled rattle snake, was the first flag carried into battle by the Continental Marines in the Revolutionary War. Mark and Doug, along with Doug’s son, planned to stand, with their firearms, in front of the historical flag, and deliver their attention-grabbing message. The video picture would show a number of Montanans willing to risk their freedom to stand up for their freedom to keep and bear arms. The stage would soon be set.
SIXTY
CIVILIAN CONSERVATION CORPS
CONFIDENTIAL MEMORANDUM
FROM: CCC CONSERVATOR DON OWEN
Badge Number CCC-45683
SUBJECT: Surveillance of SIMPSON INTERSTATE, INC.
and Recommendations for Fines/Charges
Summary of Surveillance - This Conservator was tasked by directive of DAG Scott to attend a monthly Board of Directors meeting of SIMPSON INTERSTATE, INC. based in Springfield, Mo. See the corporate jacket for details concerning this mid-sized interstate freight hauling company.
Upon my appearance at the corporate offices, without advance notice, of course, I was initially rebuffed by employees of the company. Once I presented the directive letter from our DAG, I was eventually allowed to attend the Board meeting. It started late. Present were all nine Directors, which includes the founder and CEO, Brock Simpson, his wife Delilah, and two sons.
To say that the meeting was contentious would be an understatement. Things did not go well as soon as I raised issues with slogans and phrases placed on Simpson trucks over the last three years. They don’t have even an elementary understanding of the McAlister Act’s restrictions on negative attacks on public officials, in my opinion. If not significantly fined, or worse, I don’t think the company will ever come into compliance with McAlister. The company’s CEO, Brock Simpson, and his wife, Delilah, were both in my face and refused to take instruction on how to meet the requirements of the law. They also had an agenda item that referred to the President as an “idiot”, or words to that effect.
Recommendations – Accordingly, I would recommend as follows:
A. Levy a maximum fine on the company for its current violation of the hate speech law based on words currently being carried on some of their trucks (see transcript of surveillance meeting for details). I would suggest fining them $250,000 per day of violation, or $50,000 per truck, whichever is determined to be greater. The company will hire DC counsel, of course, to fight the fines, but legal fees alone will quickly run them over $500,000. That should shut down any more anti-administration slogans on their trucks. Brock and Delilah, you should have listened.
B. Speaking of the two principals of SIMPSON INTERSTATE, INC., if they decide to make a public fight over the fines, which they may well do, based on what I witnessed, I would strongly suggest sending a referral for criminal charges for violation of McAlister to the DOJ for both Simpsons, and maybe the entire Board, though I know that if more people are indicted that raises some enhanced proof of involvement issues. If Mrs. Simpson is facing charges, I suspect that Mr. Simpson will fold his tent, and do anything he can to protect his wife. Charges should only be filed if they decide to take us on, but if they do, we should not hesitate to end the fight quickly by filing criminal charges. Word of the Simpson Interstate fines will spread fast and shut up the other companies that like to use their trucks as traveling billboards for anti-Administration diatribes. It’s time to get this done.
SIXTY ONE
Helena, Montana – Montana State House
“The best laid plans of mice and men oft times go astray.” (Robert Burns)
“No OPLAN ever survives initial contact.” (Murphy’s Law on Military Action)
Friday night at the Montana State House was quiet. Gunning’s posse bedded down in various rooms, so as not to all be in one vulnerable location. They didn’t think there was much of a chance that anyone would want to visit the State House on Friday night, and that assumption proved to be correct. Saturday came early. Betty Jean had prepared java and her famous breakfast sandwiches. Using the Governor’s private galley to prepare the food was a special treat for her. The group’s plan was to send an e-blast notice of their occupation of the State House to media in Helena and other Montana cities at 8 AM. At the same time they planned to e-blast all of the national networks, cable outlets, the large metropolitan newspapers that were still in business and the Associated Press. The text of the e-blast read:
URGENT NOTICE TO MEDIA – A newly organized association of American gun owners opposed to the new federal anti-gun law has today occupied the Montana State House. Mark Cima
rron, a leader of the group, announced that several owners of firearms, all residents of Montana, peacefully entered the State House on Friday night. No one in security was injured and are being well cared for during the occupation. The Montanans in the State House are all armed as a visible demonstration of their strong opposition to the federal law which prohibits private ownership of firearms. The occupiers of the Montana State House assure all law enforcement authorities that they will not use their firearms, as their occupation of the government building is a peaceful protest. A video statement by leaders of the occupying group of gun owners will be made available on YouTube at 10 AM this day – click on Montana State House Occupation.
At 9:30 AM, Mark, Doug and Doug’s son recorded their statement for posting and viewing at 10 AM. Mark spoke first.
“After the United States Constitution was approved, Samuel Adams said ‘The Constitution shall never be construed to authorize Congress to prevent the people of the United States, who are peaceable citizens, from keeping their own arms.’ What America has witnessed instead is a panicked seizure of our Constitutional right to keep and bear arms. This Congress has proven Samuel Adams to be wrong – this Congress has construed our Constitution to prevent the people from keeping their own arms. Hundreds of thousands of Americans have bowed to our tyrannical government and given up their arms. But, they didn’t do so voluntarily. Our fellow Americans only gave up their arms under the ominous threat of prison. No free nation should so threaten its own people. Another Founding Father, George Mason, said, ‘To disarm the people is the best and most effectual way to enslave them’. As free American citizens, peaceable American citizens, we are serving notice today that we will not be enslaved.”
Doug spoke next. His comments were video recorded immediately after Mark’s. He had been warned by those who knew him and who knew that he could sometimes lose his self-control to watch his words. He silently told himself to be calm and to not lose his easily lost temper. His son placed his arm on his dad’s shoulder, as a comfort, and so he could exert some unseen pressure if his dad lost control.
“I’m carrying my firearm today in this official building as an uninvited visitor for just one reason. We are occupying this State House this weekend to demonstrate to those Americans who may think that we are no longer the home of the brave, that there are still Americans who are willing to risk jail, or worse, to advance freedom. If the federal government wants to take my firearm away from me, let them come here to the Rotunda of this building, and pry it away from my cold, dead fingers. I will never willingly surrender my weapon with which I can defend my family. If necessary, I’ll use my fire….”. Doug’s son thought he knew what was coming next, a threat by his dad to use his gun, so he gently squeezed his shoulder. Doug got it, so he wrapped up his statement, “….uh, that is, nobody wants to use their firearm, unless we have to. What needs to be done? We strongly urge the Congress that just barely passed the McAlister Anti-Gun Law, to repeal the law, and restore freedom in this nation. That’s all I’ve got to say, though what I just said probably violates the anti-free speech part of the new law. So be it, I’m still a free man, freely speaking my mind. God bless America.”
Doug’s son, still bearing his military close shaven haircut, and by far the youngest of the occupiers, was brief, “I agree with my dad, and Mark and the other brave men and women who are standing up for our Second Amendment rights. I didn’t fight in Afghanistan to preserve American freedoms, just to come back home and witness those rights being taken away from us. That’s it.”
The camera was turned off. The recorded segment was uploaded just before 10 AM as a YouTube segment. Over the next few weeks, the segment became the website’s most viewed, as millions clicked in to see the historic video.
The group’s two hour advance notice to the media, was a wise move, as most media do not staff heavily on Saturdays or Sundays. Two hours was enough time to call in the major network and cable talking heads, and many prime time commentators. When the video went up on YouTube, America’s media were ready. Within a short time, the various media outlets had aired and re-aired the recorded video from Helena, each overlaid with varying news story headlines:
CBS NEWS
MONTANA REBELLION
NBC NEWS
MOUNTAIN INSURRECTION
CNN
RADICAL GUNNERS IN THE CROSSHAIRS
FOX
MODERN DAY PATRIOTS FIGHT BACK
New York Times
Gun Rights Leaders Grab Control
Of Montana State House in Helena
Federal Troops Called up by White House
SIXTY TWO
Helena, Montana – State Capitol Grounds
Colonel Carlos Jimenez was not happy about his unit’s call up to Helena. As an Army officer, of course, he did what he was ordered to do, but that didn’t mean that he had to like it. When he was handed his squad’s mobilization order his first question to his CO was what the blank was the Army doing involved in a domestic disturbance? Didn’t the Montana State Police know how to handle trouble makers in their State? How about the Helena Police Department? And above all these issues, what about posse comitatus? His questions were ignored.
Why are we here, Colonel Jimenez asked himself? Why are we entrenched in front of the Montana State House? As a soldier, he found it very difficult to support the concept of taking away firearms from civilians. Worse yet, if his command structure wanted his unit to actually take down the occupiers of the Montana State House, that was a problem. His stated Rules of Engagement, which he was assured came from the highest levels of command and control, were to shoot to kill, if necessary. He knew what he was being ordered to do, but he wrestled with the idea of firing on his fellow Americans, especially, he thought, when you agree with their cause.
As Saturday dawned, Gunning’s group quickly became aware that the building was now surrounded, not by State Troopers, but by federal troops. Gunning called his posse together and gave them the bad news.
“I’m not going to try and dress this up in any way. We have a significant problem. Believe it or not, we’ve got a front plaza full of U.S. soldiers. They didn’t come here to congratulate us on our protest. Looks like the Administration has decided to nip protests like ours in the bud. Even if they might side with us, they’ve got to do what the command and control structure tells them to do, including taking us all out. We are in deep doo-doo, to put it mildly.
“I’m open to ideas, but this changes our plans. When we thought we might be faced with some Montana State Troopers, most of whom are with us, many of whom we would probably know, that was an acceptable confrontation. But, armed soldiers? Hello. Whose brilliant idea was it to call up the Army, for just a simple civil protest? They didn’t bring in the military when those leftist occupation crazies took over the government buildings in Portland and burnt City Hall.”
Betty Jean was known for being practical and hard-headed. She had managed dozens of Forest Rangers through the years, a group known for their independent approach to life. She had been the member of the occupying group who was most concerned about their exit strategy, worrying that if anything could go wrong, it would. She differed with Gunning’s description of what they were doing as a simple civil protest.
“Look, Gunning, you know I love you to death, but this is not simple, it’s really not very civil, since we’re armed, and it’s certainly a cut above a protest. A protest is marching with a sign on the sidewalk outside an abortion clinic, which many of us have done at one time or another. What we are doing here is seizing the seat of the government of our State. I’m not shocked that the White House rolled out the Army. They’ve got to stop gun owning America from anything else even remotely like what we’re doing. If we succeed in what we are trying to do, there will be copy-cat actions all over the country. They don’t have a choice. Stop the gun owners in Helena or face them in Nashville and Phoenix and Baton Rouge and maybe even at Concord Bridge, again.
“What we’ve got to
decide, and I mean decide now, is whether we fold up this little weekend outing, turn in our guns, say we’re sorry, we was just a funnin’, or, stick with the plan, make our point, then most of us adios, except for Mark, Doug and his son, who will be left to take the heat.”
Doug jumped in with both feet, “What? What are you saying, Betty Jean? Are you seriously suggesting that we just give up and turn in our guns? I’ll never, under any circum….”
“Stop, Doug, stop. I’m just saying that the game has changed. We’re not up against Trooper Barney Fife and his buddies, guys who would treat us decent. We’re lookin’ down the gun barrels of people who are trained to kill. These guys aren’t here to make nice. I’m frankly surprised that they haven’t breached the entrance doors already. There’s nothing stopping them, and when they do, we’re toast.
“I suggest that Doug, his son and I go out on that balcony or parapet, whatever it’s called, now, like we talked before, and essentially give you cover, while you are exiting. We’ll say some appropriate words, read some freedom quotes and attract the attention of the media. After a decent interval, we’ll lay down our guns on the Don’t Tread on Me flag, surrender and face the inevitable music.”
The balcony was on the third floor of the Romanesque building, under the Capitol dome, facing Lockey Avenue. It was mounted so that the columns on the front of the building partially shielded the parapet and the overhang of the entrance structure shadowed it so that it was not well illuminated by normal daylight. It had only been used infrequently, almost always for a swearing in, usually of the Governor of Montana, if the weather allowed. Mark, Doug and his son decided that to maximize the cover they would send an e-blast message advising the media that they were about to make a public statement, and designating the exterior parapet as the location. Just before they opened the glass and walnut doors to the balcony, they could tell that the digital heads-up had worked, as the area at the base of the building was filled with cameras and reporters. They also noticed that the soldiers had moved their emplacements to within about a hundred feet from the building.