Catron County, N.M., which pioneered local land-use
planning against federal control of public land, has passed a
resolution urging every household to own a gun. It’s a protest
against gun-control laws and a tool in Catron’s war of nerves over
cattle grazing. Originally, the county commission considered an
ordinance requiring gun ownership. That got watered down after some
locals complained such an ordinance would be as repressive as
forbidding gun ownership. Still, the county got plenty of
attention, as CNN, ABC and The Wall Street Journal showed up at the
county courthouse in Reserve to cover the vote. Now, Catronites are
forming a militia. “Citizens are getting tired of being tossed
around and pushed to the limit by regulations,” said Carl
Livingston, a county commissioner. “We want the Forest Service to
know we’re prepared, even though violence would be a last resort.”
At a meeting of the county chamber of commerce recently, Forest
Service District Ranger Mike Gardner urged caution. “What are you
guys arming against?” he asked. “A .30-.30 won’t do any good
against (U.S. government) Bradley fighting vehicles and attack
helicopters.”
This article appeared in the print edition of the magazine with the headline Catron County readies for battle.
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