http://www.star-telegram.com/…

A $226,000 armored vehicle for the North Richland Hills Police Department SWAT team arrived a few days ago to replace one the agency got in 1990.

To many people that vehicle — and others like it used by police departments across the country — will go unnoticed. The public seems to largely accept the use of military-type equipment, technology and tactics as not only appropriate but also necessary to fight crime and make communities more safe and secure.

Armored vehicles are used by law enforcement agencies in Fort Worth, Arlington and Bedford and at Dallas/Fort Worth Airport, just to name a few. Some police departments have assault rifles, noise-flash devices and grenade launchers. Arlington even sought federal money for a drone aircraft.

But some criminal-justice experts are troubled by law enforcement agencies’ growing use of military-style equipment. Rather than employ such equipment only in extreme situations, the critics say, their use is becoming commonplace, leading police to use unnecessary force and intimidating residents. For example, some cite an episode last year in which police used a battering ram to raid a Duncanville swingers club when no one answered a knock.

“We have been witnesses to a little-noticed but nonetheless momentous historical change — the traditional distinctions between military/police, war/law and internal/external security are rapidly blurring,” said criminal justice professor Peter Kraska, of Eastern Kentucky University, in one on his studies on the militarization of police departments.

Local police officials note that growing populations, rising crime rates and more-lethal weapons available to criminals have forced officers to keep up. They also say they rely on training to make sure equipment is used appropriately.

“For years, there’s always been a parallel between law enforcement and the military,” said Bedford Police Chief David Flory, former director of training for the Texas Tactical Peace Officers Association. “Of course, the big difference is the rules of engagement. The military in Afghanistan or Iraq is dealing with warfare. We as officers have the U.S. Constitution and the Texas Penal Code that we must follow.”
Read More…

http://www.eagletribune.com/…

Keni Garcia told police he intended to use the 30,000 bullets they found in his car and home for target practice.

That is hard to believe, the prosecutor at Garcia’s arraignment said, because if he were to fire a gun for eight hours a day, it would take weeks for him to use all of it.

Garcia, who allegedly bought thousands of rounds of ammunition and had 10,000 bullets in his car when he was stopped by police Thursday, was ordered held on $500,000 cash bail yesterday.

Attorney Socrates de la Cruz of Lawrence, who represented Garcia, 32, of 12 Freeman St., at his arraignment in Haverhill District Court, said he will appeal the high bail in Superior Court.

Garcia is charged with three counts of possession of a high-capacity firearm, illegal possession of ammunition and illegal storage of a firearm. His case was continued until June 12.

Assistant District Attorney Christopher Holland asked Judge Patricia Dowling to impose $750,000 cash bail.

“He has no reason to stay here,” Holland said.

The judge ordered Garcia to surrender his passport, and said that if he makes bail he is not to leave Massachusetts.

Garcia is a native of the Dominican Republic who was expected to become a U.S. citizen yesterday, but then he was arrested, authorities said.

Police arrested Garcia after he had left Interstate 495 at Exit 49 Thursday. They said they found 10,000 rounds of ammunition in his car. His two young daughters also were in the car, police said.

Holland said at Garcia’s arraignment that a “joint effort” by the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives and state police found that Garcia had previously bought 20,000 rounds of ammunition in New Hampshire.

Garcia told police he only intended to use the bullets for target practice at a rifle range, Holland said, disputing Garcia’s explanation. His common law wife, Elizabeth Reynoso, consented to a search and police found another 20,000 rounds, Holland said. They also found one .38-caliber and two 9 mm handguns, and $25,000 in cash, Holland said.

The prosecutor said all of the bullets seized from Garcia were for .38-caliber, 9 mm and .22-caliber firearms. Such ammunition is “like gold in the Dominican Republic,” he said.

Holland said Reynoso told police he had “a shipping type of business” and that the $25,000 in cash must have come from Garcia cashing a business check.

“Where is the crime?” de la Cruz asked. The lawyer said Garcia had lived in New Hampshire for three years before recently moving to Haverhill.

“He bought the guns legally,” de la Cruz said. “He never hid the fact that he had them.”

Furthermore, de la Cruz said that when Garcia moved to Haverhill, he had a 60-day grace period to obtain a Massachusetts firearms card.

“There is no crime committed,” he argued, saying there was no evidence that Garcia was shipping guns or ammunition to the Dominican Republic.

30K? Really? I’m not much of gun person but I do own a few. I’ve just recently ordered 500 rounds of 9mm. It fits in one ammo can with room to spare… in the boxes. You could fit probably three thousand rounds of .22LR in a .30 cal ammo can. To a person who shoots often 30K rounds is not that many. And look at the calibers. 9mm, .38, .22? Those are cheaper, smaller calibers often used for practice shooting.

And don’t forget there is still a run on guns and ammo due to the Obama administrations strong language regarding guns and ammo. I ordered the 9mm ammo mentioned above in February and just received it last week . Obviously there are a lot of people buying ammo and I doubt its all new customers and small amounts.

This guy should move back to NH.

Back in February, on the 5th, I applied for 2 hand gun purchasers permits as required by New Jersey Statute 2C:58-3(a). After 10 months, to the day, I received confirmation that the permits were ready for pickup. On my way back from a weekend in New Hampshire I stopped in to the Sbeg Yrr Cbyvpr Qrcnegzrag to pick up my permits. After waiting a few minutes the record bureau supervisor came out with my folder. I entered the small room between the main hallway and the records room where they take fingerprints among other things. After signing the two permits I was asked if there was anything else and I inquired about obtaining a complaint form. I was told they don’t have one and that I could either talk to someone specifically or the officer at the front window. I would have preferred a form so as to be specific and thorough but I decided to talk with the officer when offered the chance…

• The officer started by saying he was “dying” to talk with me.
• It was admitted that while NJ Statute 2C:58-3(f) says the permit is to be issued within 30 days of receiving the application the state police interpret that to mean after all the paperwork is finished and returned.
• Some at Sbeg Yrr Cbyvpr Qrcnegzrag apparently use Google Alerts to scan for any mention of the organization online.
• As a result they came across this blog.
• The record bureau supervisor was not particularly thrilled with the posts which have appeared on this blog regarding my experiences with them.
• While being “courteous” was brought up several times the record bureau supervisor said I had not been discourteous to him. Yet he implied that by blogging about my experiences I was being discourteous.
• The application was submitted on February 5th. The Request for Criminal History Record Information was not responded to till March 13th. During the conversation the officer said it was submitted on April 5th which is approximately the time I first called to query about the status of the application since no reference letters were sent. Clearly indicating to me the application was sat on till I called.
• My primary issue was the lack of professionalism in that when I was told I’d receive calls I did not and the obvious and unexplained delays on their end. The issue with laur’s reference form was something to note as was the misunderstanding that the second reference letter had not been received. However, they were not my primary concerns. After the conversation it raises more questions to the officer’s professionalism as he admitted reading my blog and having personal issues with it. It would seem to me by his behavior that day that it’s entirely likely a reason I didn’t receive any calls back was due to my public complaints. Don’t try to hide behind the law or the state police’s interpretation. Deception and lies are far worse then slow bureaucracy.
• As for the law. The state police are supposed enforcers of the law. Assuming statute law is legitimate vs natural law… how convenient that when it applies to them they are able to liberally reinterpretate it to better suit themselves. I doubt very much I’d get the same leeway should I reinterperate the local ordinances against parking near the yellowed curb or purchasing a firearm without a background check.
• If any officers of the SYCQ come across this let me suggest reading about laur’s experience with the Nutley Police Department. Part 1 and Part 2.

Read parts of our conversation on page 2.

Pages: 1 2

Today after voting I walked to the Fort Lee police department to hand in forms to acquire two hand gun purchasers permits. It seems they have created a wonderful system to annoy the shit out of and get money from want-to-be gun owners. You pay $54 for a background check, then $5 for the firearm ID, $18 for another background check for a handgun purchasers permit and $2 for each permit. The latter two is for each time you apply for a purchasers permit. Doesn’t make a whole lot of sense to me. According to the NJ code if I already have a FID I don’t need to do this again. Why would they need a new check and finger prints? My prints don’t change and if I had been arrested for something which would cause my permit request to be denied shouldn’t that arrest have also revoked my FID?

I have no desire to give NJ another penny of my money so I can have permission to “keep and bear arms.” A right protected by the federal government by the 2nd Amendment and prohibited of the states by the 2nd and 10th.

The restrictive NJ laws on firearms can be found here. I’ve sent an inquire to the state police about all this. Lets see what they say.

Roadblock at the Browns: Brown Supporter Lauren Canario Arrested

Federal Marshals set up a roadblock on Center of Town Road in Plainfield today and are refusing to let anyone visit the Browns. In a deliberate act of civil disobedience, Lauren Canario began walking to the Brown’s home from the roadblock and was arrested.

Lebanon Jail Story

At the roadblock on Center of Town Road, I walked past the state police, the county sheriff, but the fat U.S. Marshal asked,” Where are you going”?

“Taking a walk,” I answered. Numerous police started shouting at me.

Peaceful people found guilty of no crime arrested for walking down the street and admitting to supporting Ed and Elaine Brown who were convicted of tax evasion and have refused to be arrested. Seems the federal government has started to crackdown and will probably attempt a siege. I wonder if the supporters will come up with other ways to get supplies to them.

http://www.nj.com/…

When police come to the aid of a disabled motorist they face limits in following a hunch to “fish” for illegal activity by searching the vehicle, the New Jersey Supreme Court ruled today.

The court found police acted without proper cause in the case of six people arrested on conspiracy and drug charges after a warrantless search along the New Jersey Turnpike in Edison three years ago.

“The driver of a disabled car facing police officers whose offer of assistance quickly turns into a ‘fishing expedition’ based on a ‘hunch’ that criminal activity is afoot is subject to no less compulsion to accede to a consent search than a driver subject to a typical motor vehicle stop,” wrote Justice Barry Albin, who was joined by Justices Jaynee LaVecchia, Virginia Long, John Wallace and Helen Hoens.

I’m pleasantly surprised by this ruling. While absolutely obvious to myself had I read about this case prior I would have not been sure of it’s outcome. NJ is hardly the most freedom loving state. I’ve had had a few run ins with the state police that were of questionable legality or at least good taste. I’m glad that someone is looking out for the 4th Amendment.