Angie Craig: “in reviewing S. 1438, I came across a provision that would have disastrous consequences, no matter what its original…”

“in reviewing S. 1438, I came across a provision that would have disastrous consequences, no matter what its original intentions might have been. I am talking about section 1062, making it unlawful for individuals to possess any ``significant military equipment'' ever owned by the Department of Defense that is not demilitarized and giving the Attorney General the authority to seize such items. ``Significant military equipment'' can mean a wide variety of goods; for example, it can include military vehicles, aircraft, ammunition, firearms and parts. ``Demilitarization'' can mean a number of things, too, including cutting or destruction. The Department of Defense already can, and does, demilitarize some military equipment before surplusing it. I am not advocating a change in that current authority. However, section 1062 of S. 1438 goes well beyond this current authority. By making possession of such equipment illegal, it would create tens of thousands of lawbreakers overnight, veterans, collectors, sportspeople, even museums that have been legally purchasing surplus equipment from the government for decades. Worse, this section provides for the confiscation and destruction of items that are now private property. Consider the chaos and injustice that would result from enactment of this provision. Veterans service organizations across the country who have acquired military firearms to use for ceremonial purposes, they would be criminals.…”