Want more guns? When armed militia took over an Oregon wildlife refuge

On Saturday, a protest in support of an Oregon ranching family facing jail time for arson was followed by an occupation of a building at a national wildlife refuge.

According to the New York Times, the seized building houses the Malheur National Wildlife Refuge office, which is operated by the United States Fish and Wildlife Service in Harney County.

The occupation was prompted after a federal judge ruled that the sentences of Dwight Hammond, 73, and his son Steven Hammond, 46 had not served enough time for arson under federal law. After the ruling, the two had to report to California prison.

Scene from the protest:

The scene in Burns Saturday morning as protestors gather in support of 2 ranchers going to prison. pic.twitter.com/ec6tmdeTik

— Les Zaitz (@LesZaitz) January 2, 2016

Militia takes over Malheur National Wildlife Refuge building in Burns, Oregon https://t.co/OfuNNh4uZX pic.twitter.com/wxfliSYkpl

— The Oregonian (@Oregonian) January 3, 2016

The Hammonds confessed to lighting fires in 2001 and 2006, however, revealed it was to "protect their property from wildfires and invasive plant species". Both men were convicted three years ago. Dwight served three months in prison and Steven served one year.

Ammon and Ryan Bundy, the sons of Cliven Bundy, a rancher from Nevada who became a symbol of anti-government sentiment in 2014, were also among the occupiers. After a standoff with agents from the Bureau of Land Management, who attempted to confiscate cattle Cliven had illegally grazed on federal land since 1993, he galvanised conservative critics of the federal government.

In a video posted on Facebook, Ammon called on the members of “different militia groups” to join in the protest. “This is not a time to stand down,” he said. “It is a time to stand up and come to Harney County. We need your help and we are asking for it.”

In the past few weeks, the Bundy's have taken to social media to organise opposition to the government case against the Hammonds. In another video posted on Facebook, Ammon said, "“We’re out here because the people have been abused long enough.” Calling the prosecution of the Hammonds “a symptom of a very huge, egregious problem”.

Adding," The people cannot survive without their land and resources,” he said. “We cannot have the government restricting the use of that to the point that it puts us in poverty.”

In an interview with The Oregonian, the Bundy brothers said they "would not rule out violence if law enforcement officers attempted to remove them from the building." Ammon, who plans to remain in the building for years, told The Oregonian, "“The facility has been the tool to do all the tyranny that has been placed upon the Hammonds.”Bundy brothers said they "would not rule out violence if law enforcement officers attempted to remove them from the building." Ammon, who plans to remain in the building for years, told The Oregonian, "“The facility has been the tool to do all the tyranny that has been placed upon the Hammonds.”

However, the Hammonds' lawyer revealed that the Bundy's help was not welcome.Hammonds' lawyer revealed that the Bundy's help was not welcome.