Trump Steps Up Militarization of Local Police, NH Fights Back

It has not gone unnoticed that police brutality has been on the rise. Local LEOs are being trained here and abroad by foreign armies and many are obtaining MRAPs and other military-grade weapons to be used locally.

President Trump recently signed an Executive Order that would make it easier for the federal government to provide local law enforcement organizations such surplus military equipment items.

“Attorney General Jeff Sessions discussed the plan to send surplus military equipment to police while speaking to a group of law enforcement officials in Nashville on Monday.”

“Responding to the news via Twitter, Radley Balko, author of Rise of the Warrior Cop: The Militarization of America’s Police Forces, said, “Rolling back those restrictions sends a pretty clear message…. Under this administration, there will be zero interest in discussion, oversight or prevention of police abuse.”

Federally there is at least one Senator, Rand Paul (R-Ky) who will fight this.

On Twitter, Paul wrote, “The militarization of our law enforcement is due to an unprecedented expansion of government power in this realm. It’s one thing for fed officials to work w/ local authorities to reduce or solve crime. It’s another for them to subsidize militarization.”

“The transfer of extra weapons and gear from the military to local police began via the 1033 program, which was created by Congress in 1989 as part of the National Defense Authorization Act.” Newsweek went on to report.

The Tenth Amendment Center writes about how NH is fighting back:

“A NH State Representative, Rep. J.R. Hoell (R-Dunbarton), introduced House Bill 1431 (HB 1431) on January 3. The legislation would prohibit police from acquiring any military equipped, vehicle or military grade hardware that is not readily available on the open commercial market. This would include armored personnel carriers, Title II weapons, unmanned aerial vehicles, or unmanned ground vehicles. The proposed law would apply to military equipment available both through the well-known 1033 program, along with any other military surplus program operated by the federal government.”

HB 1431 was referred to the House Municipal and County Government Committee. Tell them you support Rep. Hoell’s bill.

Read more… Tenth Amendment Center