Majority of Americans Want Militia Groups Outlawed
On Nov. 20th, a media research firm called Media Curves.com used a CNN report about an extremist organization called "Oath Keepers," to analyze beliefs and attitudes around militia groups and the Second Amendment. In short, once Americans become aware of the militia movement's extremist anti-government rhetoric, support the "Second Amendment" declines drastically.Results of a new media study among 300 Americans revealed that the majority (53%) reported that armed militia groups should be outlawed in the United States after viewing a news clip featuring a militia group.
The study was conducted by HCD Research using its MediaCurves.com® website on November 19-20, to obtain viewers’ perceptions of a video clip featuring a group called the Oath Keepers. The group is a nonprofit organization that non-violently resists the actions taken by the U.S. Government to overstep constitutional boundaries. To view interest curves and detailed results go to: www.mediacurves.com.
The percentage of viewers that support the Second Amendment to the United States Constitution, which protects the right to keep and bear arms, declined from 80% to 73% after viewing the video. In addition, more than one-third of the viewers (37%) reported that the existence of the Oath Keepers organization causes them to feel less safe.
Among the findings:
Should armed militia groups be outlawed in the United States?
Yes: 53%
No: 47%
Should armed groups such as the Oath Keepers be outlawed in the United States?
Yes: 49%
No: 51%
Are you in favor of the Second Amendment to the United States Constitution, which protects the right to keep and bear arms?
Yes:
Before Video 80% -- After Video 73%
No:
Before Video 20% -- After Video 27%
How does the existence of the Oath Keepers organization impact your feelings of safety?
I feel safer because this group exists: 17%
I feel less safe because this group exists: 37%
I do not feel any more or less safe because this group exists: 46%
While viewing the video, participants indicated their levels of agreement by moving their mouse from left to right on a continuum. The responses were recorded in quarter-second intervals and reported in the form of curves. The participants were also asked to respond to post-viewing questions.












Majority of Americans Want Militia Groups Outlawed
Thank You for your Comment
We review all comments before they're posted. For more on our comment policy, please see our FAQ.
None
Wow, there was no bias in that video at all. I mean, CNN was straight up in their report. In fact, if I didn't know better, I would have believed they are in full support of the Oath Keepers.
(That was sarcasam)
- moby clarke
November 23, 2009 11:46AM
Reply to this Recommend
(2)
Thank You for your Comment
We review all comments before they're posted. For more on our comment policy, please see our FAQ.
What bias?
They seemed content to let Rhodes expose himself as a clown.
So what bias or failure to report is there?
- Submariner November 23, 2009 5:00PM
Reply to this Recommend
(1)
Thank You for your Comment
We review all comments before they're posted. For more on our comment policy, please see our FAQ.
Militias
The crazy conspiracy groups that try to overthrow the government aren't really militias in the true sense of the word, which is obviously what people in this poll are thinking of. They are more like guerrilla revolutionists. You can't outlaw people coming to together and discussing overthrowing the government (1st amendment), only when they either conspire to do it, attempt to do it, or clearly incite others to do it does it become illegal . So, what was the point of the question?
Anyway, how sad is it that people could change there opinion on the 2nd Amendment after watching a 5 minute video . I'd hope you'd put a little more thought into your beliefs prior, but apparently not.
- caelum
November 23, 2009 1:11PM
Reply to this Recommend
(3)
Thank You for your Comment
We review all comments before they're posted. For more on our comment policy, please see our FAQ.
Pretty darn sad, all right!
If a 5 minute video , which is obviously slanted to a point of view is all it takes to sway you, please post your e-mail address so I can send you 10 minute video explaining why you should give me half your pay every month. Of course, you should watch it twice.
People need to use their brains, do at least the bare minimum of research, and consider the source.
- LagerHead
November 23, 2009 1:20PM
Reply to this Recommend
(3)
Thank You for your Comment
We review all comments before they're posted. For more on our comment policy, please see our FAQ.
I think the issue is State's rights
The US government has been overstepping it's boundaries into State's rights since it we became a country.
If state militia's and guards had not been consistently assimilated to the federal level, we'd have less paranoia about the types of things the Oath group is talking about (which is mostly nonsense anyway).
The questionaire just goes to show that most people don't give a crap about fringe nonsense, but if they have to have an opinion, they are voting against the doofus handing out Che' Obama flyers and then trying to act reasonable on the spot. Which most people do.
Again, you guys are villifying people for saving their nerves for REAL issues. Like finding a new job, taking care of their kids , or getting to lvl 100 in WoW.
If anything, either someday these wannabe-freedom-fighter loons will be right and then all get killed by the Matrix/Sentinel/Zombie/Alien-Masters they fear monger about, OR they will get bored and go postal. Where do you think the Taliban came from? Grass roots?
- Submariner November 23, 2009 5:11PM
Reply to this Recommend
(1)
Thank You for your Comment
We review all comments before they're posted. For more on our comment policy, please see our FAQ.
The most flawed methodology possible.
Calling this half baked farce a " media study" is just plain shameful.
A sample size of 300 would produce a margin of error of plus or minus 6%, even if it were conducted in a manner that recognized credible polling standards, which this is not. A person visiting a particular destination on the web is likely to do so as a result of a predisposition to that site's views. The result is statistically meaningless.
So, yeah, they don't swear an oath to the president as does the military . Duh!!! The president is the commander in chief of the military. The military jolly well better obey his orders or face unpleasant consequences, up to and including being shot dead on the spot.
Maybe someone should tip off the folks at CNN that it is NOT "King" Obama, and that presidents in this country have no authority to order private citizens about.
Even with CNN putting the worst possible slant on the group, I don't see anything especially radical or offensive. All they're really saying is we need to be vigilant, which I don't think is all that bad an idea.
I've seen some pretty wild eyed stuff about some groups, but this one didn't impress me that way. Perhaps more interesting is the CNN view that anyone who wants honest government , in compliance with the highest law of the land, is trying to "overthrow" the government. If things have gotten so bad that adhearing to the Constitution requires armed revolution, that's a pretty sad indictment on CNN's part.
- Don Earl
November 23, 2009 6:44PM
Reply to this Recommend
(3)
Thank You for your Comment
We review all comments before they're posted. For more on our comment policy, please see our FAQ.
Where did the do the poll ,at the splc?
As a militiaman I can tell you that the slant that the splc and adl and others are total BS! 99% of militia members don't want to overthrow the government at all. They don't like the way that that BOTH parties have led this country down the wrong path. .
Many also want to learn how to help their neighbors in times of emergency.
We have learned first aid,search and rescue.
We teach our kids how to SAFELY handle a firearm.We teach them what to do if the find a gun that is unattended.
We teach our wives,daughters and sisters self defense.
We watch over our neighborhoods and call the police if we see a crime being committed.
- militia member
November 24, 2009 11:55PM
Reply to this Recommend
(2)
Thank You for your Comment
We review all comments before they're posted. For more on our comment policy, please see our FAQ.
If I am extremeist
If I am extremist because I believe in and try to live my Oath to protect and defend the Constitution of the United States of America from ALL ENEMIES, FOREIGN AND DOMESTIC, then I plead GUILTY AS CHARGED.
Don Earl: Have you served in the military ? I have (retired), and I did not forget nor forsake my Oath simply because of retirement . I took an Oath to the People and the Constitution, not the president. I swore to obey LAWFUL orders; not to enforce any political agenda. In fact, members of the Armed Forces have an absolute obligation to refuse to carry out unlawful/unconstitutional orders.
CNN, that bastion of honesty and politically neutral reportage, is about as honest and objective as a lynch mob, along with most of the so-called "mainstream media ". I'll make up my own mind, thank you very much, and do it with whatever factual data I research.
The Southern Poverty Law Center is nothing but a bunch of anti-gun race -baiting bigots, casting a racial aspect upon all facets of society (just like Jesse Jackson, Al Sharpton, and the NAACP).
TSgt Bruce A. Beatty
USAF (Retired)
Oath Keeper
3%er
Open your mind and say "aaahhhhh".
- TSgt B
November 25, 2009 12:33AM
Reply to this Recommend
(2)
Thank You for your Comment
We review all comments before they're posted. For more on our comment policy, please see our FAQ.
Taking a look at the Oath Keeper's site...
The only negative observation I would make is the always clear and present danger of doing evil out of the best of intentions, especially when combined with an elitist mentality. There are apparently two categories of membership; the master members and the servant members.
There are many references to historic events from the American Revolution. The one most notably absent is that without the militia, i.e. those without prior military experience, we would still be a British colony.
Why would you pick a fireman over, for example, a doctor ? Or, a person who entered and exited the military during peace time in order to get a free ride to college , over a judge who has devoted his life to enforcing the Constitution in every decision he makes? What about the shopkeeper who kept a shotgun under the counter for twenty years, then killed a gunman apparently bent on murdering one of his employees? What about the school teachers who taught you about the Constitution in the first place? Or the armed farmer protecting his family's food supply from predators? Or about 300 million other examples at last count?
While I don't find fault with much of your philosophies, I would never trust a man possessed of a view that some men are better than others.
Elitism is tyranny's seed and the sole enemy of liberty.
- Don Earl
November 25, 2009 4:56AM
Reply to this Recommend
(0)
Thank You for your Comment
We review all comments before they're posted. For more on our comment policy, please see our FAQ.
covered
You were already covered under your original oath... because you are perfectly in your right to refuse to carry out illegal orders.
Further were were all of you back during the Bush years when the Patriot Act started trampling on the Constitution?
- MrBook
November 25, 2009 6:23AM
Reply to this Recommend
(0)
Thank You for your Comment
We review all comments before they're posted. For more on our comment policy, please see our FAQ.
stewart Rhodes is on record as opposing the PATRIOT Act
Sez Book: "Further were (sic) were all of you back during the Bush years when the Patriot Act started trampling on the Constitution?"
I believe I answered your question in the title.
- Dutchman6
November 25, 2009 6:42AM
Reply to this Recommend
(0)
Thank You for your Comment
We review all comments before they're posted. For more on our comment policy, please see our FAQ.
Yes, and the rest?
My statement was not "nobody opposed the PATRIOT Act" but rather where were all these self styled defenders of the Constitution during the Bush Administration?
- MrBook
November 25, 2009 12:01PM
Reply to this Recommend
(0)
Thank You for your Comment
We review all comments before they're posted. For more on our comment policy, please see our FAQ.
Oathkeepers
Well done TSgt. I also am an Oathkeepr and 3%er.
For the rest of you:
Oathkeepers is there to remind those of us who swore an oath ( military and police , active, reserve, or retired) to UPHOLD THE CONSTITUTION, not officeholders/politicians.
We will NOT OBEY unconstitutional/unlawful orders. PERIOD.
THAT is a GOOD thing, folks!
If you want to see the ten particular orders we will refuse to obey, go to: http://oathkeepers.org
Want to learn about 3%er's?
http://sipseystreetirregulars.blogspot.com
Sign me,
A Chief Warrant Officer
- SamAdams1776
November 25, 2009 4:22PM
Reply to this Recommend
(1)
Thank You for your Comment
We review all comments before they're posted. For more on our comment policy, please see our FAQ.
Thanks, Chief
It is a shame that so many of our brothers and sisters in arms don't have the knowledge, guts, or patriotism to really live their Oaths. Case in point: Ft. Hood.
Dozens of fine young warriors sacrificed on the altar of Political Correctness. Of all of the places to be a "Gun Free Safety Zone", it was (and is) a military installation. Keep in mind that this "policy" was put in place by the same draft-dodging traitor that ordered soldiers to be disarmed, in a COMBAT ZONE, during one of his visits.
Now we have not only a very anti-2nd Amendment POTUS, but also the most anti-freedom, anti-2A, anti-American and unconstitutional administration in the history of our Great Nation (can anyone say "Czars"?)
If there was ever a time to take our Oaths seriously, it is NOW, BEFORE IT IS TOO LATE.
I do not call for revolution, I call for RESTORATION OF THE CONSTITUTION.
TSgt B
- TSgt B
November 25, 2009 5:17PM
Reply to this Recommend
(1)
Thank You for your Comment
We review all comments before they're posted. For more on our comment policy, please see our FAQ.
Nice Try, TSgtB
What a great point you make on Czars. Apparently, George W. Bush could say "Czars" very well. He had more than any president in American history. But for some strange reason, I bet you weren't going around criticizing him for this.
I want you to tell me one thing -- just one thing -- that Obama has done to violate the Constitution. And I'm not going to give you the Patriot Act. That was Bush's. Sorry.
So just one. Meanwhile, while you're thinking of one, I'll go over my laundry list of Bush's Constitutional transgressions that I'm sure you easily overlooked.
- Vandal K
November 25, 2009 5:53PM
Reply to this Recommend
(0)
Thank You for your Comment
We review all comments before they're posted. For more on our comment policy, please see our FAQ.
Pimp Daddy Obama...
is getting ready to offer up another 30,000 soldiers for the CIA to use as mercs to protect their global heroin operations in Afghanistan.
Like Nixon aide, Henry Kissinger said, "The illegal we can do now. The unconstitutional just takes a little longer.".
Pimp daddy Obama has sold us out to investment banks and insurance companies, while selling out our troops to drug lords. I'm not sure "unconstitutional" is the right word. It's more like high treason.
Both Bush and Clinton openly rejected their duty to abide by the Constitution, so it's not like Bush kicked off a new tradition.
What America really needs is a viable third party that actually represents the interests of we the people.
- Don Earl
November 25, 2009 9:25PM
Reply to this Recommend
(0)
Thank You for your Comment
We review all comments before they're posted. For more on our comment policy, please see our FAQ.
Ready, Vandal K?
How about, just for starters:
Taking my money (property) and giving to others to buy a car (5th Amendment);
Taking my money (property) and giving it to banks and financial institutions to bail them out (5th Amendment);
Taking my money (property) and giving it to others to pay their mortgage (5th Amendment);
Working with Congress to take away my health care choice (Preamble to the Constitution; pursuit of happiness and security, not a guarantee). Where in the Constitution does he/Congress find this power?
Ordering his Attorney General to grant citizenship /constitutional protections to terrorists/ illegal combatants (usurping powers not granted without Congressional approval);
Dithering about whether to support our troops in time of war (aiding and abetting the enemy?);
Prostrating himself/bowing to foreign powers (undermining our national sovereignity);
Appointing avowed Communists/Socialists to positions of arbitrary, unconstitutional power;
Using the power of the Office of the President to suppress free speech (his war on Fox News and talk radio; violation of 1st Amendment);
Approving Air Force One flyby of New York City (inducing/inciting panic, a criminal act under Federal and State law , High Crimes and Misdemeanors);
Violating his Oath of Office by NOT supporting and defending the Constitutional Rights of citizens of these United States;
Possible usurpation of of the Office of the President without proof of American citizenship (where's his birth certificate; how many passports, and from what countries, has he had?);
Acceptance of the Nobel Peace Prize (illegal under the Constitution to accept gifts from foreign entities/powers).
This list is far from inclusive, and I am waiting for him to sign into law such things as health care reform (?), and proposed " gun control " legislation. Obama is not solely at fault; our criminal Congress is working hand-in-hand to turn this nation into a third world banana republic. His has demonstrated very little knowledge of the U. S. Constitution (although he was alledgely a professor of Constutitonal law)and our history and heritage; and has shown, along with his wife, disdain for and disrespect to our Constitution and national heritage; and a complete lack of demonstrable patriotism.
As I have stated before, I will honor my sworn Oath, and defend our Constitution from all enemies, FOREIGN AND DOMESTIC. No threats; just re-affirmation of my Sworn Duty to my country and the American People.
Our " government " has strayed so far from its' Constituiional duties, obligations, and restraints that I am certian our Founders wouldn't recognize what they had left us. And I am also certain that they (the Founders) would be really, really PISSED at us for letting it happen.
Please show me which portion of the Constitution authorizes Congress to dictate how much my toilet can flush.
While you're looking for someone to read this to you, please list the specific instances where the Patriot Act has been used to deprive one, JUST ONE, U.S. citizen of their Constitutionally protected Rights. JUST ONE.
It saddens me to see that those of your stripe don't even realize the threat to you own liberties, even when it is so blatantly paraded RIGHT UNDER YOUR NOSES. Kneel as a slave if you choose; I will stand on my feet as a FREE man.
Oh, and one other thing: get your nose, and the nose of "government", out of my family affairs. I, and my family, will determine how to raise, educate, support, and discipline our children , grandchildren, great-grandchildren, etc. NONE OF YOUR, OR "GOVERNMENT'S", BUSINESS.
Between my father, God rest him, four of us brothers, and three wives of brothers, we have given 98 1/2 years of active duty military service to this Great Nation. Additionally, my son -in-law is currently in Iraq as an Army Ranger, defending your right to be a dumb*ss. How much has your family given?
To quote Fletcher, in the movie "The Outlaw Josie Wales": "don't piss down my back and tell me it's raining".
Bruce A. Beatty
Technical Sergeant, USAF (Retired)
Oath Keeper
3%er
Patriot
- TSgt B
November 26, 2009 1:51AM
Reply to this Recommend
(1)
Thank You for your Comment
We review all comments before they're posted. For more on our comment policy, please see our FAQ.
One more thing, Vandal
Why is it taht Democrats always seem to be willing to hang our soldiers out to dry? At this moment, we have Navy Seals being prosecuted (pilloried?) for doing their Sworn Duty. Yet, a Democrat president (James Earl Carter) pardoned a draft dodger (William Jefferson Blythe Clinton) who later was elected president, and we recently witnessed the burial in Arlington National Cemetery of a former Army private (Teddy Kennedy) who killed a woman while driving drunk, and was later elected to the Senate .
We have witnessed several Democrat politicians, such as Dick Durbin and John F'ing Kerry, just for a few, accuse our troops of being terrorists and war criminals.
Why is it that Democrats do this? And they have the gall, like Pelosi did, to tell ME that I'm un-American?
Bruce A. Beatty
Technical Sergeant, USAF (Retired)
Oath Keeper
3%er
Patriot
- TSgt B
November 26, 2009 2:14AM
Reply to this Recommend
(1)
Thank You for your Comment
We review all comments before they're posted. For more on our comment policy, please see our FAQ.
A whole bunch rolled into one....
Nationalized Healthcare.
- Olderman
November 26, 2009 11:33AM
Reply to this Recommend
(0)
Thank You for your Comment
We review all comments before they're posted. For more on our comment policy, please see our FAQ.
US Constitution
Vandal, can you tell me where in Article 1, Section 8 of the Constitution of the United States it says that the Congress shall have the power to establish a National Health Care Program. Likewise can you please tell me which of the 27 amendments to the Constitution of the United States that gives anyone a so-called Right to health care . I am not a member of Oath Keepers, what I am, however, is a Retired Member of the Armed Forces of the United States, and like those in the Oath Keepers, I too took an oath in 1960 to Support and Defend the Constitution of the United States Against all Enemy's both foreign and domestic, just because I retired does not releave me of my obligation to my country under that oath. Just for your information I did not agree with everything George W Bush did as President, but I did agree with 89% of what he did.
I do not agree with the TARP bail outs and the UnConstitutional Takeover of GM, Chysler, or the Banks. FDR tried it and it also failed, un-employement went up from 10.7% in 1932 to a high of 23% by the end of 1940. You do not throw money at the problem and expect the problem to go away, FDR's own Secretary of Treasure said that very same thing in 1940. Remember this: "Those who do not learn from the mistakes of history, are bound to repeat them and fail also."
- wildbronco
December 8, 2009 11:58PM
Reply to this Recommend
(0)
Thank You for your Comment
We review all comments before they're posted. For more on our comment policy, please see our FAQ.
Me too
I also served my country and took the same oath. Just because my service ended it didn't make my oath null and void. Yes I also joined Oath keepers.Submariner, were you ever in the military ? If so, maybe you ought to find that oath and re-read it and live by it or renounce it.
- troyof69
November 25, 2009 9:14PM
Reply to this Recommend
(1)
Thank You for your Comment
We review all comments before they're posted. For more on our comment policy, please see our FAQ.
Well stated
Very nicely done, troyof69. Glad to see we're not alone in the fight for Freedom. Keep the Faith, Brother.
TSgt B
- TSgt B
November 26, 2009 1:55AM
Reply to this Recommend
(1)
Thank You for your Comment
We review all comments before they're posted. For more on our comment policy, please see our FAQ.
.01% sample size?????
A study of 300 people out of 3,000,000 citizens? That's .01% of the population. Who would publish study results on a sample size that small? Obviously someone with an Agenda. It would be interesting to know the demographics of those that responded. If we're going to use this study, we must understand that 46% of the respondents don't feel any safer or less safe because of the militia existence. Also please remember that there is no right to feel safe in this country.
On a side note, no American could want militia's outlawed. Militia's are established by the Constitution of the United States. George Mason, one of our founding fathers, commented on the militia as follows. "I ask, sir, what is the militia? It is the whole people, except for a few public officials." So those people that answered that militia's should be outlawed don't understand their role in our Constitutional Republic.
- theaton November 25, 2009 9:32AM
Reply to this Recommend
(1)
Thank You for your Comment
We review all comments before they're posted. For more on our comment policy, please see our FAQ.
Hmmm...
There are a number of slants in the video which appear to be intentional. First of all, the premise of the Oath Keepers is valid in that the oaths taken support the *lawful* orders of the president - whoever he/she may be.
This is an important distinction in the oaths taken, as they limit obedience to those actions which are lawful by U.S. law and the Geneva Convention. Among several, there are two examples which remind that all of us of the need to be mindful.
1. The interment of American Citizens of Japanese decent during WWII.
2. The massacre at My Lai by U.S. soldiers in Vietnam.
Both of these are the results of following orders blindly. In the first one, American *Citizens* were jailed essentially because of their ethnicity: not for any illegal action(s). In the second, more than 500 *noncombatant* men, women and children were slaughtered . The foundation and premise of our legal system is the individual knowledge of what is legal and what is not. Jailing someone, or outright killing because of fear and nothing else is patently wrong and illegal.
Another slant is in the questioning:
"Should armed groups such as the Oath Keepers be outlawed in the United States?"
Per se, the Oath Keepers are not an "armed group". Mr. Rhodes is quite clear on this. Should individual members of the group choose to bear arms, that is an individual decision. Note that there are groups which do bear watching, but not solely because they are armed.
- Olderman
November 25, 2009 11:13AM
Reply to this Recommend
(2)
Thank You for your Comment
We review all comments before they're posted. For more on our comment policy, please see our FAQ.
Who Are The Real Exremists??!!
Are the ACORN operatives and the thirty-eight czars in the Administration and the fifth columnists within the leftist wing of the Congress some sort of freedom loving Constitutionalists, or are the Oath Keepers the true Constitutionalists and American patriots in this head to head comparison by CNN? Those of us who served in the armed forces and/or law enforcement (I did both) swore in very similar oaths to uphold the Constitution of the United States. In the case of the armed forces, we also swore to obey [lawful] orders from the president. The implication was that the president’s orders be lawful, just as the orders from a superior officer must be … lawful. Are the president and his various unelected/unconfirmed czars fearful of some unlawful/un-Constitutional act being challenged by the military , law enforcement, and the American people? As an American citizen, I would hope that there are conscientious warriors and police in our midst to serve as the “first line” of resistance against a tyrannical move on the American people by a desperate and self serving government . It is not enough to say that there is no immediate and pending legislation to disarm the American people, spy on them, and ultimately launch into them with dictatorial might. All of those things were already proposed in one form or another, and are indeed being performed subtly by the thirty-eight presidential appointed czars that were never confirmed through the legislative process. It looks like the Obama government and its supporters in the Congress have formed their own thug regime answerable to no one. It looks like they are worried about how their actions will be viewed and challenged by a righteously distrustful citizenry.
- OIFtoUSC
November 27, 2009 8:52PM
Reply to this Recommend
(0)
Thank You for your Comment
We review all comments before they're posted. For more on our comment policy, please see our FAQ.