Militia Group Files Abortion Initiative ‘Definition Of Life’ Measure One Of Three To Be Presented
The U.S. Militia Association filed three planned initiatives with the state on Monday, a measure that could forbid most abortions.
The “Definition of Life” initiative seeks to define life as anytime an individual or fetus shows “brain stem activity” or a heart beat.
It calls for the death penalty for the illegal taking of life and says officials must prosecute any violations as premeditated murder, with no plea bargaining allowed to lesser charges.
Sponsors planned to present the initiative and two others to state election officials Friday afternoon. But they were stalled when a bomb threat closed the Ada County Courthouse for much of the afternoon and they couldn’t verify signatures on the preliminary initiative as those of registered officials.
Filing of the initiative petition is the first step in a process that could lead to the question being placed on the next general election ballot. It takes just 20 verified signatures on the original petition. But members of the “Liberty of Conscience” action committee will need the signatures of 41,335 registered voters and acknowledged Friday that requirement will be hard to achieve.
Leaders of the group, who share an apocalyptic philosophy critical of taxes, government intrusion and gun control, announced the three initiatives on Friday.
Another proposal would allow volunteer militia groups to train with weapons. Currently, the Idaho Constitution says the National Guard is the only legal militia, although militia associations may exist.
The third initiative would prohibit the state from interfering with moral or religious conscience. Militia leaders say that would prevent the government from trying to regulate behavior or religious practices.
“By voting yes to this initiative, the people of Idaho set forth in Idaho Code that the right to protection of life coexists with the interests of society and state government,” a preamble to the “Definition of Life” initiative says.