Montana Nullifies Federalization of State Law Enforcement
Montana Nullifies Federalization of State Law Enforcement Written by Joe Wolverton, II, J.D. On April 23, Montana Governor Steve Bullock signed a law protecting his state’s law enforcement from being converted into an arm of a federal police force. Not only does House Bill 330 protect the independence of Montana’s law enforcement, but it prevents it from being bribed by the offer of military grade weapons from the federal government, as well. Section 1 of the new law declares: A law enforcement agency may not receive the following property from a military equipment surplus program operated by the federal government: (a) drones that are armored, weaponized, or both; (b) aircraft that are combat configured or combat coded; (c) grenades or similar explosives and grenade launchers; (d) silencers; or (e) militarized armored vehicles. Section 2 sets additional barriers along the road toward federalization: If a law enforcement agency purchases property from a military equipment su...