President Trump is poised to lift an Obama-era ban on military equipment for local police forces.
Former president Obama banned the sale of such equipment in 2015, following a St. Louis police department paramilitary-style response to rioting in the wake of events in Ferguson, Missouri, that year.
“We’ve seen how militarized gear can sometimes give people a feeling like they’re an occupying force, as opposed to a force that’s part of the community that’s protecting them and serving them,” Obama said in explaining the ban.
According to documents obtained by Fox News, Trump will sign an executive order lifting that hurdle and allowing the Department of Defense to recycle “life-saving” gear for use with local law enforcement.
Via Fox News:
The Trump administration will bring back the movement of surplus military equipment to local law enforcement.
Documents obtained by Fox News reveal President Trump will sign an executive order reversing an Obama-era policy which restricted local police agencies’ ability to get access to gear such as armored personnel carriers, grenade launchers and other military-grade equipment.
Trump’s executive order will restore “The full scope of a longstanding program for recycling surplus, lifesaving gear from the Department of Defense.”
Police groups have been requesting that the president rescind Obama’s executive ban allowing law enforcement to capably respond to active shooter calls or terrorist attacks.
A military-style armored vehicle was used in response to the terror attack in San Bernardino, California.
Trump administration will allow local police forces access to surplus military gear, banned after Ferguson protests: https://t.co/lFAA4vXmKc
— The Daily Beast (@thedailybeast) August 27, 2017
“Much of the equipment provided through the 1033 program is entirely defensive in nature,” an Administration proposal reads.
They “protect officers in active shooter scenarios and other dangerous situations.”
They further explain, “Assets that would otherwise be scrapped can be repurposed to help state, local, and tribal law enforcement better protect public safety and reduce crime.”
Do you think local law enforcement should have access to military-style equipment for use in countering live shooter scenes or terrorism investigations? Share your thoughts below!
