Executive Order 13809: Arming Police to the Teeth

What the Executive Order Says

Executive Order (EO) 13809 is entitled "Restoring State, Tribal, and Local Law Enforcement's Access to Life-Saving Equipment and Resources" and has 3 sections.  It was issued on August 28th, 2017 and revokes the rules established in EO 13688.

Section 1

This section revokes EO 13688 entitled "Federal Support for Local Law Enforcement Equipment Acquisition" dated January 16, 2015.

Section 2

This section directs the Executive branch to unimplement the recommendations pursuant to EO 13688.  Including issuing new rulemaking to change any regulations that were issued as a result of that EO.

Section 3

This section includes the standard fine print to assure the constitutionality of the EO.

My Commentary

The original EO 13688 restricted the transfer of high powered military weapons and equipment to police forces.  For example, what police force really needs a 200 rounds per minute 50 caliber machine gun?  Under the revocation, police forces can now get these kinds of weapons when they are transferred to military surplus.  There have been documentaries created which discussed the militarization of police forces which contributed to an us vs. them attitude on the part of the members of the force as well as a reliance on resolving situations through force.
In my opinion, the safeguards in EO 13688 seemed to me to have been reasonable and I don't think this EO will contribute to the betterment of society.