Older Arizonans may soon be able to join the state militia -- to the extent it really exists.
Current state law spells out the militia consists of ``all able-bodied citizens of the state'' between the ages of 18 and 45. That includes the national guard, inactive guard members and the ``unorganized militia'' which consists of everyone else.
HB 2433 would allow those who are 45 and older to also be considered part of that unorganized militia.
Rep. Carl Seel, R-Phoenix, conceded that the state has never called up this unorganized militia. But he said this would permit -- but not require -- older Arizonans to serve if it was ever activated.
Still, not everyone would be eligible.
Seel's measure, approved on a 36-21 vote, leaves intact existing exemptions for judges, elected officials, ministers of the gospel and ``idiots, lunatics, totally blind persons and persons convicted of infamous crimes.''
soricobob posted at 5:03 am on Wed, Mar 6, 2013.
I can't imagine!