The
1033 program has been a hit of late. This is the program that funnels military-grade weaponry, amongst other things, from the Pentagon to local, state and federal law enforcement agencies. Turns out that people love the program so much they want let the
kids in on it.
State records show 10 different school district police departments in Texas received military surplus equipment, including trucks, guns, and armor, through a Department of Defense program.
You read that right. "Military surplus"? You mean like sleeping bags and canteens to play with in the school yard? Maybe a bunch of military-grade number 2 pencils?
In all, the departments received 64 M16 rifles, 18 M14 rifles, 25 automatic pistols, and magazines capable of holding 4,500 rounds of ammunition as well armored plating, tactical vests, and 15 surplus military vehicles.
Under the program, school police departments received the equipment at little-to-no cost.
At least it's budget conscious. Am I right?
Holy shit, this is such a bad idea. Forget about not wanting gun regulation. Forget about not pushing for more mental health support. If you have more guns in and around your school you'll be safer. The logic is steel-bear-trap-shut-tight, as Texas Appleseed's Brennan Griffin points out:
Police Chief Brawner says the rifles are available only for use by tactically-trained officers in an emergency. He says when not being used in training, the military weapons are locked in the department's armory.
But Griffin cites studies showing the typical active-shooter crisis lasts only about 12 minutes.
As long as it has been thought through I don't see what's the problem.