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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.

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
    - King-Aaron 8y ago
      > It's not trivial. I had an old 12-gauge semi that you could break a match stick off in the breach, and it would unload the entire magazine automatically with one pull of the trigger. That was pretty trivial.
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.

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
  - King-Aaron 8y ago
    > It's not trivial. I had an old 12-gauge semi that you could break a match stick off in the breach, and it would unload the entire magazine automatically with one pull of the trigger. That was pretty trivial.

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.