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On Monday night at the San Andreas Town Hall, a well-attended meeting was held to discuss the formation of a militia in Calaveras County.

A flyer advertising the meeting promised an opportunity to learn about the Calaveras Community Service Militia and the Calaveras County Sheriff’s Office’s “expectations” for the group. The militia has stated its mission is to uphold and defend the federal and state constitutions, to support the sheriff’s office and protect all citizens regardless of “race, color, religion, sex, physical characteristics or national origin.”

During the meeting, facilitators Doug Rockey, owner of Spur R Guns in Copperopolis, and Chuck Farr, a longtime county resident, spoke of a need for quick community aid in the event of a natural disaster or, as repeatedly mentioned, a possible war.

“Whether you approve or disapprove of (the militia) is unimportant, but being aware does matter,” Farr addressed the crowd. “About four months ago, a group of citizens came to the reality that, in the event of an emergency or disaster, an element was missing.”

And while facilitators insisted during the meeting that guns were “not a factor,” the group’s freedom to carry guns was a non-negotiable matter.

Rockey has stated that the group will not consider forming an unarmed community service group as an alternative. The militia will form regardless of Sheriff Rick DiBasilio’s approval, he said, though he is confident that they will find no issue with the sheriff, as he “knows our intentions.”