"However, those shootings -- as unjustified as they may be -- have no relation to the police use of armored personnel carriers"
Did you watch the video Sonya? In the very first story I linked you, you can see that they used the MRAP to smash in the the guy's front door. He was unarmed. How can you justify the destruction of an unarmed US citizen's home with an armored vehicle? Did you read that they were called out for a domestic dispute between he and his wife? How do you justify police showing up to a call for domestic violence in a MRAP?
"If you want to argue about the symbolism of a police department owning an MRAP, go for it."
I'm pretty sure I never argued that point at all. I made very succinct points about them being a waste of money and not arguably able to save any significant amount of lives. Points which you did not address at all.
"I'm not sure if you believe in the individual right to own assault rifles Vermi, but I'm just curious if you've given any thought as to why police departments feel the need to upgrade their equipment? Do you think it has anything to do with your position that individuals have the right to own bigger, more powerful, and more deadly weapons? Do you think that perhaps police departments are obtaining more powerful weapons/equipment because individuals are arming themselves with more powerful weapons and equipment?"
I'm curious if you've given any thought to the idea that there exists body armor that protect you from armor piercing rounds fired from assault rifles. How many sets of this body armor you think police could buy for the price of 1 of them MRAP's?
I'm not nearly as concerned with police having them as I am with them using them in unnecessary situations. You know, like domestic dispute calls and warrants allegedly based on sales of marijuana.
In my opinion, machines of war like this only be used in extreme circumstances. The head to toe body armor bank robber guys with assault weapons in L.A. comes to mind. And the guy that stole the tank. I would be fine with them using it for that type of scenario. But the truth is, the cops treat them like toys and take them out any chance they get into domestic situations with US citizens. It's absurd.
