The DHS's Latest Toy: "We have Gunports so We can Actually Shoot from Within the Vehicle"

The Department of Homeland Security has acquired an exciting new-ish toy, the Mine Resistant Ambush Protected Vehicle. See a great video of a proud DHS officer, Robert Whitaker, from El Paso demonstrating his magic mayhem vehicle, paid for by you the taxpayer.

Highlights from his pitch: "Mine resistant….we use to deliver our team to high risk warrant services….if there's an issue…we can shelter in place….10 or 11 operators in here, very tight but we can do it….I'll stand on the MRAP and provide overwatch for team while they are making entry into the house….15 tons is hard to stop so we usually run it on 55 on the freeway….slow taking off but when get going feels like driving a car….even if penetrated by a round the [tires] won't go flat….We have gunports so we can actually shoot from within the vehicle; you may think it's pretty loud but actually it's not too bad…we have gunports there in the back and two on the sides as well."

See former Reason staffer Radley Balko discussing the militarization of police.