Since 1990, the U.S. Department of Defense (DoD) has transferred over $6 billion in military grade equipment to local police departments across the country, including campus and school police, under the Excess Property 1033 Grant program. The program, which emerged in the heyday of the the “War on Drugs,” facilitated highly militarized “SWAT” team raids of homes, businesses, and communities. Transferred equipment ranges from desks and office supplies to grenade launchers and 19-ton mine resistant armored trucks. Mine resistant ambush protected (MRAP) vehicles make up almost a third of the dollar value of equipment transferred to local departments. To date, approximately 8,000 departments have obtained equipment through this program.

Nearly 100 college police departments have acquired military equipment through the program, including assault rifles, armored vehicles, and grenade launchers. At least 26 school districts have received military grade equipment from the 1033 program, including MRAP vehicles, M16 rifles, military gear, and grenade launchers. Police stationed in medical facilities, including hospitals, are increasingly requesting military grade equipment, citing fears of active shooter situations. Immigration enforcement agencies are also eligible for transfer of military grade weapons, and the Department of Homeland security has transferred military weapons to agencies operating on the southern U.S. border.

Customs and Border Protection received $39 million worth of tactical equipment between 1991 and 2014, including 17 cargo planes, 10 helicopters, and 10 bomb robots.