These Bundy Ranch people are fucking crazy. They apparently believe that Article 1 Section 8 Clause 17 of the Constitution has been violated.

To exercise exclusive Legislation in all Cases whatsoever, over such District (not exceeding ten Miles square) as may, by Cession of particular States, and the Acceptance of Congress, become the Seat of the Government of the United States, and to exercise like Authority over all Places purchased by the Consent of the Legislature of the State in which the Same shall be, for the Erection of Forts, Magazines, Arsenals, dock-Yards, and other needful Buildings;

Get it? The land was never purchased from the State of Nevada. Well guess what, that’s because federal government ownership of the land predates the creation of the State of Nevada. The land was won in the Mexican American war, and curiously enough Article 1 Section 8 has something to say about that too:

To declare War, grant Letters of Marque and Reprisal, and make Rules concerning Captures on Land and Water

So yeah, that’s a little bit inconvenient for Bundy, inasmuch as the creation of a State doesn’t automatically give that State government ownership of federal holdings previously established within it. The State never owned that land, that’s why they aren’t the ones going after Bundy for fees. Bundy doesn’t own it either, or he’d have a deed to the property.