Don't let Rand Paul run away with the issue. Support GA Dem. Hank Johnson's bill to stop transfer

[pnwmom]

of military equipment to localities.

Good for Hank Johnson. Now let's get everybody on board before Rand Paul runs away with this issue and the Dems decide they have to take the opposite position.





http://talkingpointsmemo.com/dc/hank-johnson-stop-militarizing-law-enforcement-act?utm_content=buffer436d7&utm_medium=social&utm_source=twitter.com&utm_campaign=buffer

The Stop Militarizing Law Enforcement Act would prevent the transfer of certain military-grade equipment from the Department of Defense to local law enforcement agencies. That includes some automatic weapons, armored vehicles, armored drones, silencers and flash-bang or stun grenades.

Johnson boasted endorsements from the Friends Committee on National Legislation, American Civil Liberties Union and Defending Dissent Foundation.

"Before another small town's police force gets a $700,000 gift from the Defense Department that it can't maintain or manage, it behooves us to reign in the Pentagon's 1033 program and revisit the merits of a militarized America. I hope we can work together on this important issue," he wrote to colleagues.

Johnson will formally introduce the bill in September when Congress returns from summer recess, his office told TPM.

http://talkingpointsmemo.com/livewire/carl-levin-senate-review-military-transfers-1033

[aikoaiko]

1. I need more information about what is transferred typically.

[pnwmom]

2. I just added the link with more info.

[aikoaiko]

3. That's an interesting law and I'll need to ready it more carefully, but quick notes.

I think this should be changed. Allowing police to acquire military stuff and then demand that it be "used" is ridiculous.

Pursuant to section III(J) of a Defense
19 Logistics Agency memorandum of understanding,
20 property obtained through the program must be
21 placed into use within one year of receipt, providing
22 an incentive for the unnecessary and potentially dan-
23 gerous use of ‘‘military grade’’ equipment by local
24 law enforcement.

I don't know if I agree with all this:

‘‘(f) LIMITATIONS ON TRANSFERS.—(1) The Sec-
22 retary may not transfer the following arms and ammuni-
23 tion under this section:
24 ‘‘(A) Automatic weapons not generally recog-
25 nized as particularly suitable for law enforcement
1 purposes, including those that are .50 caliber or
2 greater.
3 ‘‘(B) Tactical vehicles, including highly mobile
4 multi-wheeled vehicles, armored vehicles, and mine-
5 resistant ambush-protected vehicles.
6 ‘‘(C) Armored drones.
7 ‘‘(D) Aircraft.
8 ‘‘(E) Flash-bang or stun grenades.
9 ‘‘(F) Silencers.

Flashbangs, silencers seem OK with me. Armored vehicles could be very helpful with providing cover to retrieve injured persons.

Some aircraft would be OK.

[Dems to Win]

4. Already sent a note to my rep asking for support for this bill nt

[pnwmom]

5. Me, too! I hope everyone does. n/t