Slate Ridge Vermont

Last updated

Slate Ridge, also called Slate Ridge Vermont and operating under the trade name Honvend Security Solutions, [1] is an unpermitted firearms training facility in West Pawlet, Vermont, operated by Daniel Banyai. The use of this residential property for training has been a source of significant controversy since it began operating in 2017.

Contents

Facility

According to Banyai, while deployed as a private military contractor [lower-alpha 1] he perceived a lack of training among the other soldiers and developed an idea for a training camp for a wide range of combat situations. He purchased a plot of land in 2013 [3] in Vermont because of the state's "constitutional carry" laws and he believed it was isolated enough from the surrounding properties to not disturb them. Banyai has since constructed, at a cost he puts at $1.6 million, a 500-square-foot training center and various other sites on the land to train for scenarios such as home invasion, carjacking, and shipboard combat. [4] [5] Often calling the facility a school, Banyai registered the place as a nonprofit corporation under the name Slate Ridge Incorporated in 2021. [6]

Banyai says that most of Slate Ridge's visitors come from out-of-state, though members of the Vermont State Militia have also trained regularly at the facility. The property regularly displays the flag of the Green Mountain Boys, an 18th-century militia group formed in what is now southwestern Vermont to resist land formerly owned by New Hampshire from being controlled by New York, which had been given the land by the Crown. [4] On many occasions neighbors have witnessed armed groups patrolling the boundaries of the facility. [7]

Conflict with Pawlet residents

After setting up the first firing ranges on his property, Banyai applied for a permit for a 500-square-foot schoolhouse in 2018, which was initially denied due to the property not having a wide enough driveway. Because this driveway ran through the neighboring Hulett family's property, Banyai needed his neighbors' permissions to widen it. The Huletts were already unhappy about the amount of shooting at his ranges and declined the request, as did his other neighbors. Banyai began construction anyway. He managed to get another application approved several months later, though forty-six Pawlet residents signed a petition opposing his permit and afterward appealed the decision. In subsequent years, several more permits were filed for Slate Ridge with varying success and residents continued to appeal any approvals. The Town of Pawlet also brought a case against Banyai for environmental violations. [8] [9]

During the course of these disputes, the neighbors and town officials who opposed Banyai's expansions began to receive threatening cards in the mail from Slate Ridge and also were the targets of threatening posts on the facility's Facebook page. [9] In one incident in 2020 a group of two men and two teenagers were looking for a deer they believed they had shot while bow hunting near the property when they were confronted by Banyai. He threatened to shoot them if they crossed his property line. [7] [3]

Official investigations and court rulings

In 2020 the federal Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives released a bulletin about Banyai stating that he is prohibited from carrying firearms. This follows two felony charges in New York, including third-degree criminal possession of a weapon, to which he pleaded guilty. [3] [7]

Citing several threatening Facebook posts, in January 2021 a judge granted neighbor Mandy Hulett a two-year protective order against Banyai. In his defense, Banyai claimed to not operate the Facebook page for Slate Ridge, but that statement was deemed not credible. [10] This ruling was affirmed by the Vermont Supreme Court six months later. [11]

The Vermont Environmental Court ruled against Banyai on March 4, 2021, fining him $46,000 and ordering him to remove all buildings not permitted by zoning laws. Banyai stated publicly that he would not comply with the order and held a "Second Amendment Picnic" on April 17. During the event numerous visitors made use of the facility's shooting ranges, which prompted the Town of Pawlet to file a motion for civil contempt. His attorney filed an appeal to the Vermont Supreme Court the following May, but the higher court upheld the previous rulings. [12] [5] [13] [14] On July 6, 2023, a judge on the Vermont Environmental Court ruled that Banyai be arrested until he could prove that the unpermitted buildings have been removed or demolished. [15]

On March 20, 2024, the town constable of Pawlet, Vermont arrested Banyai. Banyai was the passenger in a vehicle pulled over for speeding, resisted arrest, and was subdued with pepper spray and taken into custody. [16] [17]

Notes

  1. ↑ It is unclear if Banyai was ever deployed. He was enlisted in the U.S. Army for only two weeks and though he was part of a military contracting company, the company received no contracts and performed no training according to his business partner [2]

Related Research Articles

Gun laws and policies, collectively referred to as firearms regulation or gun control, regulate the manufacture, sale, transfer, possession, modification, and use of small arms by civilians. Laws of some countries may afford civilians a right to keep and bear arms, and have more liberal gun laws than neighboring jurisdictions. Countries that regulate access to firearms will typically restrict access to certain categories of firearms and then restrict the categories of persons who may be granted a license for access to such firearms. There may be separate licenses for hunting, sport shooting, self-defense, collecting, and concealed carry, with different sets of requirements, permissions, and responsibilities.

Special police usually describes a police force or unit within a police force whose duties and responsibilities are significantly different from other forces in the same country or from other police in the same force, although there is no consistent international definition. A special constable, in most cases, is not a member of a special police force (SPF); in countries in the Commonwealth of Nations and often elsewhere, a special constable is a voluntary or part-time member of a national or local police force or a person involved in law enforcement who is not a police officer but has some of the powers of a police officer.

Concealed carry, or carrying a concealed weapon (CCW), is the practice of carrying a weapon in public in a concealed manner, either on one's person or in close proximity. CCW is often practiced as a means of self-defense. Following the Supreme Court's NYSRPA v. Bruen (2022) decision, all states in the United States were required to allow for concealed carry of a handgun either permitlessly or with a permit, although the difficulty in obtaining a permit varies per jurisdiction.

Mid-State Correctional Facility is located in the Town of Marcy, between the cities of Rome and Utica in New York State. From about 1912 through 1982 the state ran a state asylum on these grounds. That institution would grow to hold 3,000 patients. Mid-State opened as a correctional institution, in the extensive former hospital buildings, in 1983.

In South Africa, the Firearms Control Act 60 of 2000 regulates the possession of firearms by civilians. Possession of a firearm is conditional on a competency test and several other factors, including background checking of the applicant, inspection of an owner's premises, and licensing of the weapon by the police introduced in July 2004. In 2010, the process was undergoing review, as the police were not able to timely process either competency certification, new licences or renewal of existing licences. Minimum waiting period used to exceed two years from date of application. The Central Firearms Registry implemented a turnaround strategy that has significantly improved the processing period of new licences. The maximum time allowed to process a licence application is now 90 days.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Open carry in the United States</span> Practice of carrying a visible firearm in some US states

In the United States, open carry refers to the practice of visibly carrying a firearm in public places, as distinguished from concealed carry, where firearms cannot be seen by the casual observer. To "carry" in this context indicates that the firearm is kept readily accessible on the person, within a holster or attached to a sling. Carrying a firearm directly in the hands, particularly in a firing position or combat stance, is known as "brandishing" and may constitute a serious crime, but is not the mode of "carrying" discussed in this article.

The St. Albans Messenger is a newspaper published in St. Albans, Vermont. The newspaper is distributed throughout Franklin County and Northwestern Vermont.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Front Sight Firearms Training Institute</span>

Front Sight Firearms Training Institute, also known as Front Sight and as Front Sight Resorts, was founded in 1996 by Dr Ignatius Piazza.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Security guard</span> Person employed to protect properties or people

A security guard is a person employed by a government or private party to protect the employing party's assets from a variety of hazards by enforcing preventative measures. Security guards do this by maintaining a high-visibility presence to deter illegal and inappropriate actions, looking for signs of crime or other hazards, taking action to minimize damage, and reporting any incidents to their clients and emergency services, as appropriate.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Gun laws in Florida</span> Floridas gun law

Gun laws in Florida regulate the sale, possession, and use of firearms and ammunition in the state of Florida in the United States.

In the United States, the term constitutional carry, also called permitless carry, unrestricted carry, or Vermont carry, refers to the legal public carrying of a handgun, either openly or concealed, without a license or permit. The phrase does not typically refer to the unrestricted carrying of a long gun, a knife, or other weapons. The scope and applicability of constitutional carry may vary by state.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Gun laws in Arizona</span> Arizonas gun law

Firearm laws in Arizona regulate the sale, possession, and use of firearms and ammunition in the state of Arizona in the United States.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Gun laws in Kentucky</span> Kentuckys gun law

Gun laws in Kentucky regulate the sale, possession, and use of firearms and ammunition in the Commonwealth of Kentucky in the United States.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Gun laws in Montana</span>

Gun laws in Montana regulate the sale, possession, and use of firearms and ammunition in the state of Montana in the United States.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Gun laws in Texas</span> Texas gun law

Gun laws in Texas regulate the sale, possession, and use of firearms and ammunition in the U.S. state of Texas.

Gun culture refers to the attitudes, feelings, values and behaviour of a society, or any social group, in which guns are used. The term was first coined by Richard Hofstadter in an American Heritage article critiquing gun violence in the United States.

The Essex Reporter is a free monthly newspaper in Essex, Vermont. The paper also covers many other Vermont towns and cities such as, Jericho, Underhill and Winooski - with limited drops in Williston.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">History of concealed carry in the United States</span> Historical aspect of American gun law

The history of concealed carry in the United States is the history of public opinion, policy, and law regarding the practice of carrying concealed firearms, especially handguns.

Polish law allows modern firearms ownership on a general shall-issue basis under police-issued permit for people who provide an important reason. Hunting, sport shooting, training and collecting are the most popular reasons and require membership in suitable organizations. Self-defense permits for civilians are chief exceptions to the rule, where a may-issue based permit is required. Antique black powder firearms or their replicas and most air guns are available without a permit. Firearm owners are subject to mental health and domestic violence confiscation laws resembling U.S red flag laws.

References

  1. ↑ Marcy, Darren. "Is Slate Ridge the victim?". Manchester Journal. Retrieved 7 September 2021.
  2. ↑ Marcy, Darren (2021-08-11). "National radio details Banyai's battle with town, neighbors". Manchester Journal. Retrieved 30 August 2021.
  3. 1 2 3 Nina Keck; Peter Hirschfeld (2021-01-13). "Despite Act 250 Complaints, 'No One Is Actively Investigating' Slate Ridge Shooting Range". Vermont Public Radio. Retrieved 2 September 2021.
  4. 1 2 Barry, Ellen. "A Bristling Standoff Rattles Gun-Friendly Vermont". The New York Times. Archived from the original on 2021-02-23. Retrieved 3 August 2021.
  5. 1 2 Ring, Wilson (2021-04-23). "Owner says he won't dismantle Slate Ridge shooting center as ordered". Bennington Banner. Associated Press. Retrieved 30 August 2021.
  6. ↑ Marcy, Darren. "Banyai registers 'Slate Ridge Incorporated' as a nonprofit with Secretary of State's Office". Manchester Journal. Retrieved 20 September 2021.
  7. 1 2 3 Marcy, Darren (2020-11-16). "Neighbors: Slate Ridge not about guns". Manchester Journal. Retrieved 2 September 2021.
  8. ↑ "Slate Ridge attorney asserts town, court don't have jurisdiction over shooting ranges". VTDigger. 2021-08-27. Retrieved 30 August 2021.
  9. 1 2 "Don't You Be My Neighbor". This American Life. Episode 743. 2021-07-30. Transcript.
  10. ↑ "Judge grants neighbor stalking order against Daniel Banyai". vtdigger. 2021-01-19. Retrieved 30 August 2021.
  11. ↑ Marcy, Darren. "Supreme Court affirms lower court anti-stalking order against Daniel Banyai". Manchester Journal. Retrieved 30 August 2021.
  12. ↑ "Owner of unpermitted Vermont firearms center appeals ruling". Associated Press. June 11, 2021. Retrieved 2 August 2021.
  13. ↑ Marcy, Darren (2021-04-21). "Slate Ridge picnic draws contempt motion". Bennington Banner. Retrieved 30 August 2021.
  14. ↑ Ring, Wilson (14 January 2022). "Vermont Supreme Court upholds order to close gun school". AP News. Retrieved 22 February 2022.
  15. ↑ "Judge orders arrest of gun training center owner in Vermont". Associated Press. July 6, 2023. Retrieved 7 July 2023.
  16. ↑ Weinstein, Ethan; Derby, Diane (20 March 2024). "Daniel Banyai, owner of Slate Ridge, facing new charges following arrest in Pawlet". VTDigger. Retrieved 2024-03-21.
  17. ↑ Rathke, Lisa (2024-03-21). "The owner of a Vermont firearms training center has been arrested after a struggle". AP News. Retrieved 2024-03-21.
This page is based on this Wikipedia article
Text is available under the CC BY-SA 4.0 license; additional terms may apply.
Images, videos and audio are available under their respective licenses.