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> Can a civilian buy an MRAP? If so, I think your argument works very well Yes you can if you found one for sale (not sure what that market looks like). Civili

> Can a civilian buy an MRAP? If so, I think your argument works very well Yes you can if you found one for sale (not sure what that market looks like). Civilians can also buy decommissioned tanks, Two ton trucks, humvees, etc.

electrograv 8y ago
In that case, I'm definitely convinced to your side of the argument! If a civilian can buy it, I see no reason why a police force shouldn't be able to as well. That said, I'd love to hear any counter-arguments to this notion, if they exist.
- ssully 8y ago
  The counter argument would be police departments rarely buy this equipment - it's given to them as part of a program between the Pentagon and law enforcement. They get the vehicles (and lots of other military grade equipment) for a huge discount or free. There is also the fact that even if a civilian could technically buy one, it's not really feasible to actually do so.
  - wolfgke 8y ago
    > The counter argument would be police departments rarely buy this equipment - it's given to them as part of a program between the Pentagon and law enforcement. They get the vehicles (and lots of other military grade equipment) for a huge discount or free. > There is also the fact that even if a civilian could technically buy one, it's not really feasible to actually do so. Keep in mind that these vehicles were originally bought by the Pentagon using civilians' money (tax money). So far for feasibility.
- omnimus 8y ago
  Well in USA civilians can buy automatic rifles and high caliber armor piercing sniper rifles... that does not necessary mean that its a good idea.
  - all2 8y ago
    It is an excellent idea. An armed populous is an excellent deterrent of tyranny. And with the way the US is headed, an armed populous may be the only thing that stands between freedom and absolute tyranny.
    - 51lver 8y ago
      Upvoting for historical reasons.
  - penagwin 8y ago
    Nitpick: you can buy automatic rifles made before 1986 (might be off on the date but you get the idea). You can't go buy a brand new automatic. * you can however buy a modern rifle that's made to have its automatic mode disabled, but my understanding is that it's trivial to modify to become automatic (but it will no longer be legal)
    - tomschlick 8y ago
      > You can't go buy a brand new automatic. Also the ones that are on the market (pre-86) go for tens of thousands of dollars to start. They are basically coveted by rich collectors who show them off at designated "machine gun shoot" days at specialty ranges. > but my understanding is that it's trivial to modify to become automatic It's not trivial. Requires decent gun-smithing skill, the ability to craft an auto sear, and some extra parts. To my knowledge no one has been confirmed to have done that and convicted of it in recent history.
      - int_19h 8y ago
        It is trivial. You don't need to craft an auto sear - you can just buy one. https://www.newfrontierarmory.com/shop/m-16-full-auto-lpk/ https://www.newfrontierarmory.com/shop/m-16-full-auto-lpk/ The reason why it's legal is because these will only fit in a full auto receiver, which is the regulated part. But most semi-auto lower receivers can be converted to accept said full auto trigger group simply by drilling a single hole in the receiver. Which is also fairly trivial, given that you're drilling aluminum, and jigs are readily available: https://www.newfrontierarmory.com/shop/m-16-drilling-jig/ https://www.newfrontierarmory.com/shop/m-16-drilling-jig/ If you ever hear references to the "third hole" in gun context, or see the meme linked below, that's what it is about. https://i.imgur.com/HgPfXdl.jpg https://i.imgur.com/HgPfXdl.jpg
- josho 8y ago
  I've read that police departments were literally given these vehicles. I challenge someone to call BAE up and actually get a price quote and delivery timeline, here's the website to get you started. https://www.baesystems.com/en/product/rg33-mineresistant-ambush-protected-vehicle https://www.baesystems.com/en/product/rg33-mineresistant-amb... My point, is these were given to the police. While a civilian may technically be eligible to buy one for $500k (bulk pricing) but we realistically have no opportunity to purchase. So the parent's comment applies.
simplify 8y ago
I would add the question of, can a civilian buy it and use it on the streets? Just owning one in a garage doesn't really mean anything.
- tomschlick 8y ago
  I have personally seen Humvee's driving on the roads so I dont see why not. Basically an MRAP is just a big truck so as long as it didn't break any traffic laws (too wide, too heavy, etc) then I'd assume its fine. Would depend per state though.
  - Multicomp 8y ago
    Anecdote from 6 months ago: Humvees are often sold without title for $4K to $8K in GA. Titled vehicles (the ones that can legally drive on public roads) go for $22k for a beater on up.
    - AlexCoventry 8y ago
      Why the huge disparity? Is it that hard to get them title?

electrograv 8y ago

In that case, I'm definitely convinced to your side of the argument! If a civilian can buy it, I see no reason why a police force shouldn't be able to as well. That said, I'd love to hear any counter-arguments to this notion, if they exist.

ssully 8y ago
The counter argument would be police departments rarely buy this equipment - it's given to them as part of a program between the Pentagon and law enforcement. They get the vehicles (and lots of other military grade equipment) for a huge discount or free. There is also the fact that even if a civilian could technically buy one, it's not really feasible to actually do so.
- wolfgke 8y ago
  > The counter argument would be police departments rarely buy this equipment - it's given to them as part of a program between the Pentagon and law enforcement. They get the vehicles (and lots of other military grade equipment) for a huge discount or free. > There is also the fact that even if a civilian could technically buy one, it's not really feasible to actually do so. Keep in mind that these vehicles were originally bought by the Pentagon using civilians' money (tax money). So far for feasibility.
omnimus 8y ago
Well in USA civilians can buy automatic rifles and high caliber armor piercing sniper rifles... that does not necessary mean that its a good idea.
- all2 8y ago
  It is an excellent idea. An armed populous is an excellent deterrent of tyranny. And with the way the US is headed, an armed populous may be the only thing that stands between freedom and absolute tyranny.
  - 51lver 8y ago
    Upvoting for historical reasons.
- penagwin 8y ago
  Nitpick: you can buy automatic rifles made before 1986 (might be off on the date but you get the idea). You can't go buy a brand new automatic. * you can however buy a modern rifle that's made to have its automatic mode disabled, but my understanding is that it's trivial to modify to become automatic (but it will no longer be legal)
  - tomschlick 8y ago
    > You can't go buy a brand new automatic. Also the ones that are on the market (pre-86) go for tens of thousands of dollars to start. They are basically coveted by rich collectors who show them off at designated "machine gun shoot" days at specialty ranges. > but my understanding is that it's trivial to modify to become automatic It's not trivial. Requires decent gun-smithing skill, the ability to craft an auto sear, and some extra parts. To my knowledge no one has been confirmed to have done that and convicted of it in recent history.
    - int_19h 8y ago
      It is trivial. You don't need to craft an auto sear - you can just buy one. https://www.newfrontierarmory.com/shop/m-16-full-auto-lpk/ https://www.newfrontierarmory.com/shop/m-16-full-auto-lpk/ The reason why it's legal is because these will only fit in a full auto receiver, which is the regulated part. But most semi-auto lower receivers can be converted to accept said full auto trigger group simply by drilling a single hole in the receiver. Which is also fairly trivial, given that you're drilling aluminum, and jigs are readily available: https://www.newfrontierarmory.com/shop/m-16-drilling-jig/ https://www.newfrontierarmory.com/shop/m-16-drilling-jig/ If you ever hear references to the "third hole" in gun context, or see the meme linked below, that's what it is about. https://i.imgur.com/HgPfXdl.jpg https://i.imgur.com/HgPfXdl.jpg
josho 8y ago
I've read that police departments were literally given these vehicles. I challenge someone to call BAE up and actually get a price quote and delivery timeline, here's the website to get you started. https://www.baesystems.com/en/product/rg33-mineresistant-ambush-protected-vehicle https://www.baesystems.com/en/product/rg33-mineresistant-amb... My point, is these were given to the police. While a civilian may technically be eligible to buy one for $500k (bulk pricing) but we realistically have no opportunity to purchase. So the parent's comment applies.

simplify 8y ago

I would add the question of, can a civilian buy it and use it on the streets? Just owning one in a garage doesn't really mean anything.

tomschlick 8y ago
I have personally seen Humvee's driving on the roads so I dont see why not. Basically an MRAP is just a big truck so as long as it didn't break any traffic laws (too wide, too heavy, etc) then I'd assume its fine. Would depend per state though.
- Multicomp 8y ago
  Anecdote from 6 months ago: Humvees are often sold without title for $4K to $8K in GA. Titled vehicles (the ones that can legally drive on public roads) go for $22k for a beater on up.
  - AlexCoventry 8y ago
    Why the huge disparity? Is it that hard to get them title?