Wouldn't you like to have 300 armed good ole boys patrolling your state for "undesirables?" [View all]

[NNN0LHI]

http://www.htrnews.com/usatoday/article/38702409?odyssey=mod%7Cnewswell%7Ctext%7CFRONTPAGE%7Cs

5:00 PM, Mar. 1, 2012

PHOENIX (WTW) — The Arizona Senate has advanced a bill creating a volunteer militia force for the state.

Supporters say the so-called "special missions unit" of 300 armed volunteers would be a useful tool to help the state secure its shared border with Mexico.

Critics question the need for the force and whether it's wise to arm civilians and put them on the border.

Arizona law allows the governor to form a militia and the Legislature last year passed another law specifically reiterating that authority, but Gov. Jan Brewer has not invoked it.