COEUR d'ALENE - The people behind the Citadel, a compound-like community being planned in Benewah County, are holding a "PatCon" next month on property they recently purchased near St. Maries.

They call themselves "III Percent Patriots," and are part of a movement they claim is dedicated to restoring the Constitution.

According to the group's website, the PatCon will take place Sept. 6-8 and it is designed as a get-together for the "III Percent 527 Issue Advocacy Group."

The website's authors explain that the "III Percent" movement is based on historians' estimation that 3 percent of colonists took up arms and fought the British.

"Today, I am not sanguine that we have 3 percent of any subgroup in America willing to fight for liberty," one blog author writes. "But the title still represents that will, that mettle, grit and spirit to live as free men in a genuine state of liberty. By any means necessary."

The group did not respond to email requests for an interview.

According to previous reports, Christian Allen Kerodin and his wife, Holly, are the primary leaders for the Citadel project, which is a planned community compound that they envision growing up to 3,000 acres in the mountains outside St. Maries.

The Southern Poverty Law Center reported earlier this year that Christian Karodin is a three-time convicted felon who served time in federal prison for extorting shopping centers in Washington, D.C., and possessing an illegal firearm about a decade ago.

Plans for the compound include a firearms factory called III Arms, target ranges, airstrip/helipad and underground shelter. The self-sustaining complex would also house a power plant, canals, schools, farmers market, houses, jail and more.

They currently own 20 acres in the Cherry Creek area, and that is the site they intend to use for their PatCon event. About 30 people have indicated an interest in attending, according to a website poll.

James Miller Jr., who recently obtained a federal firearms permit to operate the III Arms factory, will also be attending the event to discuss the project, the blog states.

"Holly and I will be there and we will host a CQB (Close Quarters Battle) weekend," a blogger wrote, adding that the name of the classes they will teach are "Fight to Your Weapon" on Saturday and "Groundfighting 101" on Sunday.

As a group they intend to "talk all things Citadel," huddle up their Congress and talk about the III 300.

"Can the modern III build an army of 300 Patriots who will go into Harm's Way if needed, to deny those who would be our Masters their victory?" Kerodin wrote on the blog. "Do we have Patriots who will clear Black Panthers from voting stations? Do we have Patriots who will challenge unconstitutional acts and actors?"

They will be allowing firearms, with strict rules and security.

"We may get some media, even lurking in the treeline. We may get some locals - friend or foe," the website states. "I plan on having some limited electronic widgets, and we will challenge anyone who happens upon the road that cuts across our property - because there is no reason for them to be there except to eyeball us."

That, actually, is the only cause of concern for Benewah County Sheriff Dave Resser.

"They had something on the website about stopping people on the road," he said, adding that will be fine if they are talking about their own private access road.

"But if they are talking about the public access road, that would be illegal," he said. "There are a lot of spur roads off the access road. It would be best if they had it posted no trespassing."

Other than that, Resser said the group has a right to peacefully assemble on their own property as long as they are not breaking any laws.

"They have a right to gather and have a barbecue," he said. "Hopefully we don't have any incidents and everyone has a good time."