Washington DC Votes to Continue Militarization of American Police

DHS MRAP Vehicle
DHS MRAP Vehicle
MapLight
MapLight

Washington, DC – -(Ammoland.com)-  Local law enforcement around the country has become more heavily armed through partnerships with the Department of Defense and the Department of Homeland Security.

One of the key programs, the 1033 Program, allows the Defense Logistics Agency (DLA) under the Department of Defense to transfer military equipment to civilian police.

In June, the House of Representatives voted on an amendment (H. Amdt. 918) from Rep. Alan Grayson (D-Fla.) that sought to partially defund the 1033 Program. The amendment failed on a bipartisan vote of 62-355.

Representatives voting to continue funding the 1033 Program have received, on average, 73 percent more money from the defense industry than representatives voting to defund it.
Fifty-nine representatives received more than $100,000 from the defense industry from January 1, 2011 – December 31, 2013. Of those only four supported defunding the 1033 Program.

As the American Civil Liberties Union (ACLU) noted in a recent report, “it appears that the DLA can simply purchase property from an equipment or weapons manufacturer and transfer it to a local law enforcement agency free of charge.” The ACLU states that 36 percent of the equipment transferred under the program is brand new (pg. 26).

Methodology: MapLight analysis of campaign contributions from PACs and employees of Defense aerospace contractors, Defense electronics contractors, Defense shipbuilders, Defense-related services, Ground-based & other weapons systems, Defense Research & Development, and Defense to members of the House of Representatives, from January 1, 2011 to December 31, 2013. Contributions data source: OpenSecrets.org

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WAR COMES HOME the Excessive Militarization of American Policing

About MapLight: MapLight is a 501(c)(3) research organization. MapLight is a nonpartisan research organization that reveals money’s influence on politics. We research and compile data about the sources of campaign contributions in U.S. presidential, congressional, state, and local ballot and candidate elections. We provide journalists and citizens with transparency tools that connect data on campaign contributions, politicians, legislative votes, industries, companies, and more to show patterns of influence never before possible to see. These tools allow users to gain unique insights into how campaign contributions affect policy so they can draw their own conclusions about how money influences our political system.

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ChicagoGuy

Thanks to NRA contract lobbyist for Illinois Todd Vandermyde putting Duty to Inform w/ criminal penalties in Rep. Brandon Phelps HB183 concealed carry bill, every cop in IL knows they can shoot armed citizens and get away with it, by claiming they didn’t inform when asked, and were then killed “resisting arrest.”

Vandermyde put Duty to Inform in IL’s carry bill because the Chiefs of Police wanted it. The Chiefs have opposed concealed carry in IL for 30 years. Chris Cox & Chuck Cunningham at NRA-ILA pay Vandermyde for this “work.”

smithers

So the unions want police to have military equipment?? Oh…..ok, that makes sense. I wouldn’t blame anyone for ignoring the news media but even if you slightly pay attention, human beings are not getting any nicer to each other. Police need this equipment to get the job done. I will never let the ACLU give me my opinion.

GuillermoPiedras

Thank goodness for access to military equipment because the wacko leftists, rightists, anarchists, race-baiters and assorted freaks are well-armed and out police need to be well-armed, too. Overlooked is that fact that veterans constitute a large part of our police forces.

jc from deptford

What I see out of all this is strong lobby of various Law Enforcement Unions and Fraternal Organization, coupled with local Municipal politicians seeks the grant money that is available.
They appear to be better organized and effective at the grass roots and know how to pressure at all levels. Since it looks bi-partisan they are more effective than the 2nd Amendment supporters.
That’s my story and I’m sticking to it !!

TexStan

While I loathe the ACLU on most issues, they got this one right. When the SHTF, local law enforcement will be able to do to citizens what only the military had the capability but not the charter to do. Americans will soon become the serfs, subjects and goverened that the elite in Washington and beyond want us to be.