Los Angeles Sheriff Jim McDonnell is asking the House Judiciary Committee to reconsider the reduction of a program that gave state and local police department military grade tools.
Some of this equipment includes:
- Military grenade launchers
- Bayonets
- Armored vehicles
- High-powered firearms and ammunition
"What we're trying to be able to do is to avail ourselves to the tools necessary to be able to put between our deputies and the danger — an active shooter, an explosion, those kinds of things."
Under President Obama's administration, an executive order was issued that restricted the 1033 program, after the shooting incident in Ferguson in 2015.
Houston Police Chief Art Acevedo says he didn't see any issues with the program but departments should enact policies that would ensure the equipment is used properly and appropriately.
"There is no offensive equipment other than rifles. Other than that, it's all defensive."
McDonnell made the point that this gear helps protect both the public and officers, saying an armored car played a major role in the San Bernardino terror attack in 2015.
"In a terrorist situation, who gets the call? People call 911 and local police show up. We can't expect our people to be successful in our attempts to do that if we don't give them the proper equipment to protect them in that effort."