Militarization of the US police force

[schneiderguy]

http://www.alternet.org/world/15152...arization_of_the_us_police_force/?page=entire

I find this disturbing. Police should be well armed, but not that well armed. AR-15's? Sure, against a bad guy with body armor something better than their handgun or a shotgun comes in handy. Grenade launchers and armored tanks? WTF do they need those for?

IMO "regular" civilians should have access to any weaponry that the police use. If they need automatic weapons and grenade launchers and armored tanks for defense against criminals, we do too.

 

[Doppel]

IMO "regular" civilians should have access to any weaponry that the police use. If they need automatic weapons and grenade launchers and armored tanks for defense against criminals, we do too.

What about access to what military uses?

 

[PrinceofWands]

http://www.alternet.org/world/15152...arization_of_the_us_police_force/?page=entire

I find this disturbing. Police should be well armed, but not that well armed. AR-15's? Sure, against a bad guy with body armor something better than their handgun or a shotgun comes in handy. Grenade launchers and armored tanks? WTF do they need those for?

IMO "regular" civilians should have access to any weaponry that the police use. If they need automatic weapons and grenade launchers and armored tanks for defense against criminals, we do too.

We do have access to those things, just with one more step. We use our 2nd amendment rights to raid the police storage for the bigger weapons when necessary. Then we use the police weapons to raid military storage for the stage after that. You don't have to walk around with a howitzer in tow...just need to know where to get one, and carry a pistol to trade up along the way.

 

[Howard]

We do have access to those things, just with one more step. We use our 2nd amendment rights to raid the police storage for the bigger weapons when necessary. Then we use the police weapons to raid military storage for the stage after that. You don't have to walk around with a howitzer in tow...just need to know where to get one, and carry a pistol to trade up along the way.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=e5Iey0wDqBE

 

[Darwin333]

What about access to what military uses?

The military is forbiden by law to fight against the citizens of the United States except in very special circumstances.

The "Police" are considered civilian law enforcement. Pretty big difference between the two, or do you think your local police department needs and should bring to use a stealth bomber or two?

 

[schneiderguy]

What about access to what military uses?

I see no reason why a private citizen shouldn't be able to own artillery or fighter jets or an aircraft carrier along with their respective munitions if they aren't a violent felon.

 

[PrinceofWands]

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=e5Iey0wDqBE

LOL that was awesome.

 

[PeshakJang]

Somebody needs to stop all those radical war vet terrorists who didn't vote for Obama.

 

[1prophet]

The military is forbiden by law to fight against the citizens of the United States except in very special circumstances.

The "Police" are considered civilian law enforcement. Pretty big difference between the two, or do you think your local police department needs and should bring to use a stealth bomber or two?

Nah, helicopters work just fine for dropping bombs in the city.:hmm:

http://www.mindfully.org/Reform/MOVE-Phihladelphia-BombNYT14may85.htm

 

[finglobes]

The SWAT thing is deffo off the hook

 

[Anarchist420]

I see no reason why a private citizen shouldn't be able to own artillery or fighter jets or an aircraft carrier along with their respective munitions if they aren't a violent felon.

No one should be prohibited by the Federal govt from owning anything, regardless if they're a criminal.

I think it's ridiculous that the state is more armed than the citizens. The most the Federal government should be allowed to do during peacetime in terms of militarism is to guard common armories on U.S. soil only. The Federal govt also should not be allowed to own more than 10% of the land in the Republic during peacetime. And, the military should not be allowed off U.S. soil.

 

[Macamus Prime]

Is this how the wall starts to come down?

 

[ConstipatedVigilante]

No one should be prohibited by the Federal govt from owning anything, regardless if they're a criminal.

So...a convicted murderer should be able to buy war-grade weaponry and technology? Get back on your meds, buddy.

 

[Ackmed]

IMO "regular" civilians should have access to any weaponry that the police use. If they need automatic weapons and grenade launchers and armored tanks for defense against criminals, we do too.

This is an idiotic statement. Civilians should not be brandishing street justice. It's the Police Offices job to protect the citizens. Not the citizens job to protect themselves out in the street. In their home? Sure. A lot of perps are using some sort of Kevlar vest now days, with the same, or higher powered guns that Police use.

FYI, not all AR-15's are automatic. In fact, I know for a fact our Police Officer's are not. Also, a 40mm is used commonly for smoke and gas, not explosives.

Get some facts, get some common sense, and shut up.

 

[PrinceofWands]

This is an idiotic statement. Civilians should not be brandishing street justice. It's the Police Offices job to protect the citizens. Not the citizens job to protect themselves out in the street. In their home? Sure. A lot of perps are using some sort of Kevlar vest now days, with the same, or higher powered guns that Police use.

FYI, not all AR-15's are automatic. In fact, I know for a fact our Police Officer's are not. Also, a 40mm is used commonly for smoke and gas, not explosives.

Get some facts, get some common sense, and shut up.

Not according to the supreme court, or rational possibility. Police exist to take reports AFTER a crime has occurred. ONLY the individual can protect themselves.

 

[Triumph]

This is an idiotic statement. Civilians should not be brandishing street justice. It's the Police Offices job to protect the citizens. Not the citizens job to protect themselves out in the street. In their home? Sure. A lot of perps are using some sort of Kevlar vest now days, with the same, or higher powered guns that Police use.

FYI, not all AR-15's are automatic. In fact, I know for a fact our Police Officer's are not. Also, a 40mm is used commonly for smoke and gas, not explosives.

Get some facts, get some common sense, and shut up.

USSC ruled that police have no responsibility to protect the citizenry. Thus every man for himself.

Police have no business using full military style hardware. This isn't Mexico.

 

[schneiderguy]

This is an idiotic statement. Civilians should not be brandishing street justice. It's the Police Offices job to protect the citizens. Not the citizens job to protect themselves out in the street. In their home? Sure. A lot of perps are using some sort of Kevlar vest now days, with the same, or higher powered guns that Police use.

FYI, not all AR-15's are automatic. In fact, I know for a fact our Police Officer's are not. Also, a 40mm is used commonly for smoke and gas, not explosives.

Get some facts, get some common sense, and shut up.

Wow, way to read way too far into what I was saying.

Note I did not say that "citizens should be carrying grenade launchers down the street" like you seem to think I did.

No shit AR-15's are not all automatic, I have one (and it's semi auto ). Note in the OP I said I don't mind police having AR-15s.

Pic related, it's my AR-15. It's sexy :wub:

 

[waggy]

Not to feel left out, the Special Emergency Response Team (SERT) in Lancaster, Penn., was recently seen sporting the Lenco BearCat, a camouflage colored Humvee-styled tank that can knock down a wall, pull down a fence, withstand small-arms fire and deliver a dozen heavily armed police officers to a tense emergency scene. The BearCat was purchased a year and a half ago with a $226,224 grant from DHS, yet it has spent nearly two years sitting in a garage at the county's Public Safety Training Center.


lol great use of tax money

 

[Triumph]

Not to feel left out, the Special Emergency Response Team (SERT) in Lancaster, Penn., was recently seen sporting the Lenco BearCat, a camouflage colored Humvee-styled tank that can knock down a wall, pull down a fence, withstand small-arms fire and deliver a dozen heavily armed police officers to a tense emergency scene. The BearCat was purchased a year and a half ago with a $226,224 grant from DHS, yet it has spent nearly two years sitting in a garage at the county's Public Safety Training Center.


lol great use of tax money

Lancaster, huh? Yeah, you definitely need an up armored Humvee to contain all of those rowdy Amish!

 

[piasabird]

An AR15 is just a rifle. It is fairly low calaber as the size of the bullet/shell goes.

Civilians can purchase plenty of weapons that are more powerful like a winmag 300, a 30-06, Win 30-30 and the snipers favorite a 308. The .44 is also a nice handgun along with the respectable 357 which is just a .38 on steroids. The standard military issue 45 is also widely available along with all of its variants. There are also available in many places the .49 caliber rifle which was a favorite type of round used in IRAQ because it could shoot straight through a door and body armor.

In the hands of a good shot the range of an M16 was over 1,000 meters. Of course in the middle of a metropolitan area I cant see a long range weapon much use. They are just looking for penetration at that point.