State Militia Shirt Company

FUN FACTS: Unorganized State Militias (USM) are depicted and celebrated in many of our most popular fictional movies.

Red Dawn: Patrick Swazye and a group of teenagers band together to defend their town, and their country, from invading Soviet forces. 

Braveheart: Willam Wallace and his collection of 3000 Scottish clansmen left their homes to fight for their freedom from England oppression.

Independence Day: Yes, the alien invasion of the world was won by an Unorganized State Militia. The military had been depleted and the United States government and the world looked to the survivors of local towns to come together and launch an aerial assault that brought down the motherships and saved the day. 

Star Wars: Next time you watch a Star Wars movie, just substitute "USM" in place of "Rebels" and there you go.

IMPORTANT FACTS: These movies are all inspired by true historical events that were shaped by the heroic actions of unorganized state militias.

Dunkirk, World War II:  In 1940, Allied forces called upon any available civilian boat or ship to to sail to Dunkirk, a coastal town in northern France, where over 300,000 allied soldiers were stranded and destine for enialation from the approaching Nazi German assault.  

Davy Crockett: As a skilled frontiersman, he became part of the local Tennessee State Militia in 1813. Later he moved to Texas and joined the Tennessee Volunteers to defend the Alamo. 

The American Revolution: Yes, most importantly, let’s not forget the heroes of The American Revolution. The United States of America would not be here today if it were not for the armed civilians of the Unorganized State Militias that fought next to the Continental Army to defeat the British. And because the US Government recognized the significance of these farmers, teachers, dads, shopkeepers and every other private, non enlisted civilian that saved our country, Congress passed militia rights and laws (10 U.S. Code § 246). This was to ensure that if and when our country needed to call upon the brave heroes of our communities again, they would be armed and ready.  

Here is a brief yet fascinating summary of the “unorganized state militia.”  

Following the American Revolution victory, the state delegates met in 1787 to create the Constitution for the new United States of America. It was agreed that the militia was integral in the victory and must be encouraged to continue. It was also agreed that the militia would be a State issue and not under the control of the Federal Government. This was a lesson they learned from the oppressive Governmental British rule. However, over the years politicians forgot the importance and strengths that came with a free, autonomous and generally unorganized militia. So, in 1792, Congress passed what became known as the Uniform Militia Act (1 Stat. 264). This law, which remained the basic militia law until the twentieth century, stated that all free, able-bodied men, age 18 to 45, were required to serve in their state militias and that they were obligated to supply themselves with the appropriate firearms and equipment. This in effect “organized” the State Militias. In 1903 Congress and President McKinnley wanted even more control over the militia and they passed laws that transformed the militia into what we now call the National Guard. It was still to be a voluntary militia, but now under the control of the State and the Federal Government. The National Guard is made up of amazing patriots and their service is so very much appreciated. But now who is left to help our Armed Forces, including the National Guard, when they are in need? 

YOU, the UNORGANIZED STATE MILITIA !     

We have included some links and resources to learn more. You can read the language in the recent Bill signed by the Governor of South Carolina that clearly defines gun ownership rights to their citizens as members of the Unorganized State Militia. Check your state laws and contact your Governor if needed to change or implement similar protective rights in your state. 

https://www.scstatehouse.gov/sess124_2021-2022/bills/614.htm

https://legal-dictionary.thefreedictionary.com/State+militia

https://www.law.cornell.edu/uscode/text/10/246

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