No Truth To "Demil" Rumors

Alerts have been circulating on the Internet regarding a provision in this year`s Defense Authorization bill that would supposedly require "demilitarization" of "significant military equipment." For longtime Grassroots Alert readers, this is the infamous "demil" language previously defeated in 2000 and 2001, which would have granted the Secretary of Defense the authority to seize and "demilitarize" (read: destroy) "significant military equipment" formerly owned by the Department of Defense. "Significant military equipment" includes everything from guns and bayonets, to nuclear reactors and classified computer systems. Obviously, this proposal could have had a significant effect on gun collectors and many others if enacted. Fortunately, these reports are inaccurate. The "demil" provision was included in early versions of House and Senate bills to authorize spending by the Defense Department, but was once again removed by pro-Second Amendment lawmakers led by Rep. Duncan Hunter (R-Cal.), Chairman of the House Armed Services Committee. The provision was not included in the bills passed by the House (H.R. 1588) or Senate (H.R. 1588 amended with the text of S. 1050). Be assured that NRA-ILA will continue its efforts to lay this issue to rest once and for all.