police departments increasingly militarized, page-2

Birdman29 - That article was a tad lengthy, but well worth the read. The trend of militarisation of police in the States is obviously 'well' entrenched. Interesting how police in even small towns are getting armoured personnel carriers and M16's - and justifying this on terror grounds, but mainly using gear against drugs. The example of one APC and 7 M16's does seem a lot for a country town with 7 police officers and a population of 2000! Still, the trend can't be denied, and it was interesting to realise how deliberate legislative changes have systematically facilitated this over many years going back to Reagan. An example was given that under the Pentagon transfer program (stemming from a 1994 law allowing surplus military gear to be donated to local police Depts) in 2006 alone the DOD handed over some $142M worth of surplus vehicles, aircraft, boats, weapons, and 'other items' to local police agencies. The linked article was written this month, so like I said - this is worth a read.

Looking ahead, this was only one article and the wheel takes time to turn - but it's impossible to avoid a conclusion that the short (?) to medium term market will become 'huge' for Mauls with Taser in the police enforcement area, nothing to do with military.

Again, let's hope MST continues to stay on its feet to realise this, in a way that rewards shareholders. Frankly, the collective possibilities for MST seem to be a bit mind boggling from where I sit. Sheesh.