MISSOURI MILITIA MAY FORM LOCAL COMPANY

State militias have been under increased government and media scrutiny in the 12 days since the bombing of the federal building in Oklahoma City.

Now local officials are keeping their eye on a Missouri militia group interested in organizing in Cape Girardeau.

Tim McVeigh, arrested for the bombing of the federal building, and James and Terry Nichols, who were arrested with bomb-making materials, all had ties to a Michigan militia.

And since the government announced those ties, questions are being asked about the existence of the statewide, quasi-military forces.

A St. Louis-area militia, 1st Missouri Volunteers, is recruiting men and women for a Cape Girardeau company.

Cape Girardeau Police Chief Howard Boyd Jr. said he "isn't losing sleep" over the militia's attempt to organize here, but he said there are some concerns.

"This is really alien to my thinking," Boyd said. "They want to organize, wear uniforms and carry guns, well that's fine. But what happens when something occurs that they perceive with a suspicious eye?"

The police chief said as long as militia members aren't a threat to the welfare of others, he sees no problem.

Mike Ballou, a former candidate for Cape Girardeau City Council, attended a rally of the First Missouri Volunteers in February

He said the group isn't interested in harming anyone, but instead want only to ensure the Constitution is defended.

Ballou cited a recent challenge by a Wisconsin-based group of a concrete cross erected on state property in Cape Girardeau. He said the group's threats to file a lawsuit to get the courts to remove the cross is an example of how government might overstep its Constitutional authority.

"I think we need to challenge federal jurisdiction sometimes," Ballou said. "If a federal judge said 'take down the cross,' we should say 'thank you for your opinion, and if we decide to do it, we'll let you know.' People in Wisconsin have nothing to do with Cape Girardeau."

Ballou said he has been approached about organizing a local company for the Volunteers, although he hasn't yet committed to the group as a member.

"I want to wait and see and just get more familiar with the group," he said. "But I know other people in Cape Girardeau and Sikeston have contacted the group and are interested."

First Missouri Volunteers is headed by Col. Jim Moore who resides in the St. Louis area. Attempts to reach Moore over the weekend were unsuccessful.

Although the head of the militia might not be easily reached by phone, the organization's up-to-date message is available to anyone with a computer and a modem line.

The first-time user of the Volunteers' computer bulletin board is greeted with: "The idea of this board is to offer the public information to save lives and inform the public the true meaning of the word survivalist."

The message continues by insisting the group isn't "a bunch of white supremacists, revolutionaries, or rabble-rousers. If that's what you're looking for, go elsewhere."

Computer users who log on to the BBS have the option of checking the latest announcements, downloading the Volunteers' mission statement, seeing what weapons -- including rifles and pistols -- are recommended or chatting with others interested in the Volunteers.

The first-time user also must agree not to divulge any information learned from the BBS "to any government or law enforcement agency or employee" before proceeding through the system.

Boyd thinks the added scrutiny of militias following the Oklahoma City bombing will discourage interest in joining such organizations.

But Ballou disagreed. He said the government's response to the tragedy in Oklahoma City has boosted interest and will fill the militia rosters.