Should the Secretary of Defense place limitations on transferring “military-grade” weapons and vehicles to state agencies?

Awaiting Vote
Bill Summary

This bill directs the Secretary of Defense to limit the transfer of excess military weapons and equipment to local law enforcement. The passage of this bill would prohibit the provision of many of these items, including controlled firearms, weaponized drones, and silencers, which the Department of Defense is currently authorized to supply to law enforcement agencies. It would also require the Secretary to rigorously track the exchange, use, and repurposing of excess material given to law enforcement agencies, and to produce an annual report certifying that any agency participating in this exchange used the material properly. Finally, it removes counterdrug operations from the list of uses that would allow agencies to use excess military-grade equipment. Sponsor: Rep. Henry C. “Hank” Johnson Jr. (Democrat, Georgia, District 4)
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Opponents say

• "Assets that would otherwise be scrapped can be repurposed to help state, local and tribal law enforcement better protect public safety and reduce crime." Source: Jeff Sessions (Former Attorney General)
• "It's still up to local law enforcement to determine how and when and where and under what circumstances they use excess military equipment." Source: John Kirby (Pentagon Spokesman Rear Admiral)

Proponents say

• "Our neighborhoods need to be protected, but Americans and our founding fathers opposed blurring the line between police and the military,” said Johnson. “Before another small town is transformed into a warzone with gifts of grenade launchers and high-caliber rifles, we must rein in this program and revisit our view of the future safety of American cities and towns." Source: Rep. Hank Johnson (Democrat, Georgia, District 4)
• "Americans must never sacrifice their liberty for an illusive and dangerous-or false-security... The militarization of our law enforcement is due to an unprecedented expansion of government power in this realm." Source: Sen. Rand Paul (Republican, Kentucky)
• "Local law enforcement officers shouldn’t be confronting civilians with weapons designed for combat....A militarized police force makes our communities less safe and heightens the growing divide between police officers and the citizens that they are sworn to protect." Source: Rep.Ruben Gallego (Democrat, Arizona, District 7)