HELENA, Mon. (Feb. 16, 2015) – A bill that would reject federal programs to arm and equip local police like a military forcs was passed by an important state House Committee today. The vote was 20-1.

Introduced by Rep. Nicholas Schwaderer (R-Superior) House Bill 330 (HB330), the bill would place limits on the types of military equipment a local or state police department can purchase or receive from federal programs, audit the current inventory, and require oversight of allowed military grade equipment.

The legislation prohibits state or local law enforcement agencies from obtaining armored or weaponized drones, combat aircraft, grenades or other explosives (including grenade-launchers and flash-bangs), silencers, long-range acoustic devices, and tanks.

“Arming ‘peace officers’ like they’re ready to occupy an enemy city is totally contrary to the society envisioned by the Founders,” said Michael Boldin of the Tenth Amendment Center. “They’ve turned ‘protect and serve’ into ‘command and control.'”

In the 1980s, the federal government began arming, funding and training local police forces, turning peace officers into soldiers to fight in its unconstitutional “War on Drugs.” The militarization went into hyper-drive after 9/11 when a second front opened up – the “War on Terror.”

Through the federal 1033 Program, local police departments procure military grade weapons, including automatic assault rifles, body armor and mine resistant armored vehicles – essentially unarmed tanks. Police departments can even get their hands on military helicopters and other aircraft.

The Department of Homeland Security (DHS) runs the “Homeland Security Grant Program,” which in 2013 gave more than $900 million in counterterrorism funds to state and local police. According to a 2012 Senate report, this money has been used to purchase tactical vehicles, drones, and even tanks with little obvious benefit to public safety. And, according to ProPublica, “In 1994, the Justice Department and the Pentagon funded a five-year program to adapt military security and surveillance technology for local police departments that they would otherwise not be able to afford.”

By stripping state and local police of this military-grade gear and requiring them to report on their acquisition and use, it makes them less likely to cooperate with the feds and removes incentives for partnerships.

“Sunshine is the salve of good government,” Schwaderer said.

HB330 now moves to the House floor for debate and vote in the coming days.

TAKE ACTION

In Montana: Support this bill by following all the steps at THIS LINK

For other states: Take action to push back against federal militarization of your police at this link.

Michael Boldin

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