California Bill Bans Police from Getting Grenade Launchers and Tanks from Feds
A bill to stop the militarization
of California police departments received final approval in the state
legislature last Thursday. The bill is now on its way to the desk of
Governor Jerry Brown.
A.B.36 establishes that California would “prohibit a local agency,
other than a local law enforcement agency that is directly under the
control of an elected officer, from applying to receive tactical surplus
military equipment. ”
It bans the transfer of “tracked armored vehicles, weaponized
vehicles, firearms or ammunition greater than .50 caliber, grenade
launchers, bayonets and camouflage uniforms.”
Introduced by Assemblywoman Nora Campos of San Jose, Assembly Bill 36 (A.B.36) — if enacted into law by the governor — will prevent the transfer of heavy duty weapons of war to local police departments.
