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Citizens say no to military surplus equipment for police (5/20/2015 – 346 citizens, 1200 responses)
By Jacquelyn Benson
Last month, President Obama announced changes to a federal program that sells surplus military equipment to local police forces at deeply discounted prices. Under the new rules, police forces are prohibited from purchasing certain types of equipment, such as tracked armored vehicles, weaponized aircraft, heavy caliber weapons and ammunition, and grenade launchers. In the wake of the change, on May 20 the Live Free or Die Alliance (LFDA) asked over 62,000 Facebook members, “Should NH local police forces be prohibited from purchasing surplus federal military equipment?”
A total of 80% of respondents answered the question either directly or with a concurrence, and of these a 78% majority supported the prohibition with only 22% against. Of the remaining respondents, 13% optied to discuss the subject in broader terms and 7% commented on unrelated issues. In sum, 346 citizens participated in this discussion with a total of 1200 responses.
Supporters of the new rules argued that such equipment was unnecessary for NH police forces. “If it’s that bad, call in the National Guard. No need for tanks on NH streets,” one respondent said. “Why do local police need equipment like this? They are meant to protect the public not feel like an occupying army,” another commenter wrote. “The police are not the military, they are not going to war,” a poster noted.
Those opposed to the changes countered that police forces should have access to whatever equipment they deem necessary. “Used correctly there should be no issues with these weapons,” one respondent wrote. “I think it should be left up to the voters of individual towns how to equip their police,” another commenter said. “The purchasing of military surplus equipment can be a huge savings on the taxpayers,” one respondent pointed out.
Many of those opting to discuss the issue in broader terms countered that military surplus equipment should be available for purchase by members of the public. “If the police can have them then so can any citizen of the USA,” one commenter said. “All military surplus should be sold to civilians. We paid for it in the first place,” another argued.
The nonprofit, nonpartisan LFDA takes no position on this or any issue, as this report is presented as a summary of citizen testimony. As New Hampshire’s Virtual Town Hall, the LFDA community, numbering more than 65,000, provides objective information on state issues, promotes the civil exchange of opinions, and communicates views to elected officials. To learn more about this issue or the LFDA, visit www.lfda.org.
Jacquelyn Benson is an Editor with the Live Free or Die Alliance.
Live Free or Die Alliance
www.livefreeordiealliance.org
Source: http://townhall.livefreeordiealliance.org/xn/detail/4091641:BlogPost:72594
