The Obama administration announced Monday that under new rules police departments will no longer be able to purchase certain kinds of military-grade equipment and weaponry from federal agencies or using federal funds. Other used military gear will still be made available "in accordance with new and more rigorous controls."
What kinds of things will police departments no longer be able to get, and what will they still be able to get their hands on? Here are some examples.
Newly Prohibited
Until recently, local police departments were allowed to acquire this military equipment from federal agencies, but now they can't.
Tracked armored vehicles: The federal government can no longer sell local cops armored tanks that use rolling tracks to move.
But the wheeled variety of tanks that were a source of outrage when police rolled them out during the Ferguson protests are apparently still A-OK.
Weaponized aircraft or other vehicles: According to the new regulations, such vessels cannot be purchased or transferred "with weapons installed."
That's great news, as long as someone doesn't uncover a BYOM (bring your own missile) proviso.
Grenade launchers: Congratulations, America: Your local police will no longer be able to "launch small explosive projectiles."
It's not clear if towns that already have grenade launchers — such as the hamlet of Santa Maria, California — will have to give theirs back. Perhaps President Obama can clarify this at some point: "If you like the grenade launcher you already have, you can keep it."
Bayonets: The U.S. still has bayonets? WTF.
More: www.rollingstone.com
No comments:
Post a Comment
Note: Only a member of this blog may post a comment.