Missouri Citizens Militia

This article is about the privately-organized militia group in Missouri. For the state defense force of Missouri, see Missouri State Defense Force.
Missouri Citizens Militia
AbbreviationMCM
Formation2010
Typeprivate non-governmental Paramilitary militia
Key people
Aaron Penberthy (founder), Jeremy Decker (State Commander)
Volunteers5,000+[1]
WebsiteMissouri Citizens Militia

The Missouri Citizens Militia (MCM) is a private militia in the U.S. state of Missouri.

History and description

The Missouri Citizens Militia was founded in 2010 by Aaron Penberthy.[2]

The Missouri Citizens Militia is distinct from the state's National Guard and state defense force in that it is not associated with or funded by the state or federal governments. In 2017, MCM general officer Jeremy Decker denied they were an anti-government militia.[3]

Activities

The Missouri Citizens Militia has been involved in several regionally located public activities (usually training in Missouri Ozark Mountains), including:[2]

  • responding to natural disasters
  • holding clothing, food and toy drives to help victims of natural disasters.
  • blocking members of the Westboro Baptist Church when they have staged protests within Missouri.

In 2014, members of the MCM, including its founder, Aaron Penberthy, traveled to the site of the Bundy standoff to join other armed protesters in their standoff against the Bureau of Land Management.[2]

In July 2015, the militia was involved in an Oath Keepers mission, which involved standing guard outside an armed forces career center following the 2015 Chattanooga shootings which killed four marines and one sailor.[4][5]

In May 2017, the Oregon County Sheriff requested flood relief assistance from the militia. The militia deployed for two weeks in Thomasville, Missouri.[6]

References

  1. ^ Londberg, Max (7 August 2015). "Guns, rights and the Missouri Citizen Militia". Retrieved 15 May 2015.
  2. ^ a b c Jenkins, Kevin R. (30 June 2014). "County resident continues work to build strong militia". Daily Journal. Retrieved 15 May 2017.
  3. ^ Mroczka, Cody (2017-04-18). "A day with the Missouri Citizens Militia". Lake News Online. Archived from the original on 2018-06-13. Retrieved 2025-01-14.
  4. ^ Bronaugh, Renee (22 July 2015). "UPDATED: Oath Keepers and militia 'guarding' local Armed Forces Career Center". Daily Journal Online. Daily Journal. Retrieved 15 May 2017.
  5. ^ Kopp, Dustin (22 July 2015). "Protect and Serve, Protecting Our Community". KDKZ18. Retrieved 15 May 2017.
  6. ^ Russell, Linda (4 May 2017). "Volunteers work to bring life back to flood-devastated Thomasville". ky3.com. Retrieved 6 April 2018.

Missouri Citizens Militia Official Website