Stop Militarizing Law Enforcement Act

Read twice and referred to the Committee on Armed Services.

Congressional Research Service

Official summary

Version 00 · Introduced in Senate · Sep 25, 2017

Stop Militarizing Law Enforcement Act

This bill limits the authority of the Department of Defense (DOD) to transfer excess DOD property, including small arms and ammunition, to federal and state agencies for law enforcement activities.

The bill prohibits the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) from using preparedness grants to buy, maintain, or alter: (1) specified protective, tactical, or explosives equipment, vehicles, canines, or firearms or ammunition of .50 caliber or higher; and (2) body armor or ballistic helmets and shields unless the grantee certifies to FEMA that the equipment will not be used for riot suppression.

This bill prohibits the use of Edward Byrne Memorial Justice Assistance Grant funds for the purchase, maintenance, alteration, or operation of lethal weapons or less-lethal weapons.

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People & committees

Who introduced it

Sen. Paul, Rand [R-KY] · R–KY

Committees

Armed Services Committee

4 cosponsorship records, including any withdrawals

Legislative record

Actions

A procedural vote is different from passage. Passage in one chamber does not establish enactment. Explore the glossary.

Sep 25, 2017
Read twice and referred to the Committee on Armed Services.
Sep 25, 2017
Introduced in Senate

Primary sources

Bill text & related measures

Text links open the official source. We currently store references to these documents.

Introduced in Senate · Sep 25, 2017 Formatted Text PDF Formatted XML

Related bills identified by Congress.gov

Source last updated: Aug 11, 2025. Consult Congress.gov for the current record.

AI Conversation Starters

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Neutral evidence review

Objective

Analyze S.1856 as objectively as possible. Explain its main provisions, who would be affected, possible benefits and harms, implementation, exceptions, and uncertainties. Present the strongest arguments for and against it, and identify evidence needed to assess its public impact.

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Discuss S.1856, 115th Congress: Stop Militarizing Law Enforcement Act

Official record: https://www.congress.gov/bill/115th-congress/senate-bill/1856

Text version to examine: Introduced in Senate · 2017-09-25.

Official full text: https://www.congress.gov/115/bills/s1856/BILLS-115s1856is.htm

Imported record last updated by the source: 2025-08-11T16:34:11Z. Verify current status and distinguish any later version from the version above.

Read the official text before answering. If you cannot access it, say so and ask me to provide it; do not assume a link means you have read the document. Distinguish proposals from enacted law, cite sources, and separate facts, interpretation, and uncertain predictions. Include counterarguments even when using a particular perspective.

Analyze S.1856 as objectively as possible. Explain its main provisions, who would be affected, possible benefits and harms, implementation, exceptions, and uncertainties. Present the strongest arguments for and against it, and identify evidence needed to assess its public impact.

Fairness and public impact

Progressive lens

Examine S.1856 through a progressive lens, focusing on fairness, access, economic inequality, and effects on vulnerable communities. Explain potential benefits, costs, and unintended consequences. Consider the strongest counterarguments and distinguish stated goals from demonstrated outcomes.

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Discuss S.1856, 115th Congress: Stop Militarizing Law Enforcement Act

Official record: https://www.congress.gov/bill/115th-congress/senate-bill/1856

Text version to examine: Introduced in Senate · 2017-09-25.

Official full text: https://www.congress.gov/115/bills/s1856/BILLS-115s1856is.htm

Imported record last updated by the source: 2025-08-11T16:34:11Z. Verify current status and distinguish any later version from the version above.

Read the official text before answering. If you cannot access it, say so and ask me to provide it; do not assume a link means you have read the document. Distinguish proposals from enacted law, cite sources, and separate facts, interpretation, and uncertain predictions. Include counterarguments even when using a particular perspective.

Examine S.1856 through a progressive lens, focusing on fairness, access, economic inequality, and effects on vulnerable communities. Explain potential benefits, costs, and unintended consequences. Consider the strongest counterarguments and distinguish stated goals from demonstrated outcomes.

Institutions and government scope

Conservative lens

Examine S.1856 through a conservative lens, focusing on fiscal responsibility, institutional stability, federalism, and the scope of government. Explain potential benefits, costs, and unintended consequences. Consider the strongest counterarguments and any provisions that challenge this perspective.

View full prompt & sources

Discuss S.1856, 115th Congress: Stop Militarizing Law Enforcement Act

Official record: https://www.congress.gov/bill/115th-congress/senate-bill/1856

Text version to examine: Introduced in Senate · 2017-09-25.

Official full text: https://www.congress.gov/115/bills/s1856/BILLS-115s1856is.htm

Imported record last updated by the source: 2025-08-11T16:34:11Z. Verify current status and distinguish any later version from the version above.

Read the official text before answering. If you cannot access it, say so and ask me to provide it; do not assume a link means you have read the document. Distinguish proposals from enacted law, cite sources, and separate facts, interpretation, and uncertain predictions. Include counterarguments even when using a particular perspective.

Examine S.1856 through a conservative lens, focusing on fiscal responsibility, institutional stability, federalism, and the scope of government. Explain potential benefits, costs, and unintended consequences. Consider the strongest counterarguments and any provisions that challenge this perspective.

Individual rights and government power

Liberty lens

Examine S.1856 through a civil-liberties and limited-government lens. Consider individual rights, privacy, voluntary choice, accountability, and government power. Explain tradeoffs, possible safeguards, and the strongest counterarguments without assuming the proposal is beneficial or harmful.

View full prompt & sources

Discuss S.1856, 115th Congress: Stop Militarizing Law Enforcement Act

Official record: https://www.congress.gov/bill/115th-congress/senate-bill/1856

Text version to examine: Introduced in Senate · 2017-09-25.

Official full text: https://www.congress.gov/115/bills/s1856/BILLS-115s1856is.htm

Imported record last updated by the source: 2025-08-11T16:34:11Z. Verify current status and distinguish any later version from the version above.

Read the official text before answering. If you cannot access it, say so and ask me to provide it; do not assume a link means you have read the document. Distinguish proposals from enacted law, cite sources, and separate facts, interpretation, and uncertain predictions. Include counterarguments even when using a particular perspective.

Examine S.1856 through a civil-liberties and limited-government lens. Consider individual rights, privacy, voluntary choice, accountability, and government power. Explain tradeoffs, possible safeguards, and the strongest counterarguments without assuming the proposal is beneficial or harmful.