Bipartisan Amendment Limits Transfer of Military Equipment to Local Police Departments

Strategic Insights -

A new amendment to the National Defense Authorization Act aims to restrict the transfer of surplus military-grade equipment to local law enforcement agencies across the United States. The Schatz-Murkowski-Harris-Paul amendment targets the 1033 program, which allows the federal transfer of military equipment to state and local law enforcement. The amendment prohibits the transfer of equipment such as tear gas, armor-piercing firearms, and combat tracked vehicles, but allows for the transfer of defensive equipment like body armor.

Key Takeaways:

  • The amendment, introduced by Senators Schatz, Murkowski, Harris, and Paul, aims to limit the transfer of military equipment to local police departments.
  • The 1033 program, which authorizes the transfer, has been criticized for arming police with equipment better suited for war, such as grenade launchers and bayonets.
  • The amendment prohibits the transfer of 24 types of military equipment, including tear gas, armor-piercing firearms, and combat vehicles.
  • The ban does not apply to defensive equipment like body armor, which is still allowed for transfer.
  • The amendment is based on Senator Schatz's "No Warfare Zone" bill, which aims to end the militarization of US law enforcement.
  • A study has shown that police militarization leads to an increase in officer-involved shootings and civilian deaths, rather than reducing violent crime.
  • The amendment has been endorsed by both Democratic and Republican senators, showing a growing bipartisan consensus on the issue.

Statistics:

  • 24 types of military equipment are prohibited from transfer under the amendment.
  • The 1033 program has transferred over $6.8 billion worth of military equipment to local law enforcement agencies since 1990.
  • A study found that police departments that received equipment from the 1033 program were more likely to use it in military-style policing tactics.
  • Officer-involved shootings have increased by 46% since 2000, according to a study by the National Bureau of Economic Research.
  • The amendment aims to restrict the transfer of equipment that has been linked to an increase in civilian deaths and officer-involved shootings.

Sources:

  • U.S. Senator Brian Schatz (news release)
  • U.S. Senator Lisa Murkowski (news release)
  • U.S. Senator Kamala Harris (news release)
  • U.S. Senator Rand Paul (news release)
  • Cnn.com: "Police militarization blamed for rise in officer-involved shootings"
  • The New York Times: "A Growing Problem: Police Militarization"
  • A study by the National Bureau of Economic Research on officer-involved shootings.