He pointed out part of the ordinance that describes a security guard as a person who is “employed.” He said the Oath Keepers active in Ferguson include former or off-duty police officers, as well as people with extensive military experience. He said all are unpaid for the work they are doing above a strip of stores and apartments two blocks from the Ferguson police and fire departments.

“This is not America,” he said. “We don’t tax volunteers.”

Since they’ve been back on the rooftops, Andrews said police haven’t tried to enforce the ordinance.

“Now that they know who some of our guys are, I suspect they are a lot less likely to challenge us,” said Andrews, a weapons engineer and former government contractor.

More Oath Keepers, upset by the damage to Ferguson and the police crackdown on the volunteer group, have been calling to come to Ferguson to help if needed.

McGuire, of the St. Louis County police, referred follow-up questions about the Oath Keepers to the St. Louis County counselor’s office, which could not be reach for comment Tuesday.

Shake off your afternoon slump with the oft-shared and offbeat news of the day, hand-brewed by our online news editor, Mandy St. Amand. Sign up! * I understand and agree that registration on or use of this site constitutes agreement to its user agreement and privacy policy.