Owner of illegal gun range in Pawlet arrested by police

In Pawlet, Vermont, local resident Daniel Banyai was apprehend by authorities on Wednesday, as announced by the Vermont State Police. The charges Banyai will face include aggravated assault on a protected person and resisting arrest, with his arraignment scheduled on Thursday. The arrest took place near the state Routes 30 and 133 intersection after a violent encounter with the Pawlet town constable. Banyai was wanted as he had failed to voluntarily surrender himself at Marble Valley Prison.

Banyai is known to own Slate Ridge, a gun range that has been found in violation of property zoning laws and legislation that prohibits paramilitary training facilities in Vermont. This situation has been progressively developing over the past five years. Initial complaints from nearby residents started in 2019. In 2021, the local authorities instructed Banyai to dismantle unpermitted buildings on his property, an order he ignored.

In July 2023, Daniel Banyai was still refusing to adhere to the orders for building deconstruction and necessary town inspections. Consequently, the first warrant for his arrest was issued. In November 2023, property inspections confirmed noncompliance with zoning laws, and by December, authorities issued a second warrant for Banyai’s arrest. Affidavits provided by Vermont State Police Lieutenant Doug Norton to NEWS 10 offered further details on the timeline.

On December 4th, 2023, authoritative figures were made aware of Daniel Banyai’s outstanding arrest warrant. Four days later, Banyai’s attorney confessed that he was unlikely to willingly surrender. On December 14th, the fugitive’s legal representative reported that Banyai had left Vermont with no immediate plans to return.

The investigations surrounding Daniel Banyai and his noncompliant property are still ongoing. This case represents an ongoing struggle between actions of individual defiance and the established laws and regulations meant to maintain order and safety for the entirety of the community.