Are American Security companies supplying terrorists?

September 15, 2006 12:05 PM

http://www.brickhousesecurity.com/military-police-equipment.html The title may sound extreme but it may well be the truth. Militiary and law enforcement products are not meant to be mass distributed, which is exactly why they're illegal in the United States. Who's to say these products (e.g. cell phone jammers, unmanned drone airplanes) aren't getting into the wrong hands? Where is government regulation when you need it? This will, at the very least, fuel the rising tide of mass surveillance...
posted by citizenkane (33 comments total)

What the hell am I supposed to get out of this?
posted by Evstar at 12:08 PM on September 15, 2006

But what do you think about it, citizenkane?!
posted by mr_roboto at 12:10 PM on September 15, 2006 [1 favorite]

But what if... they're already in the wrong hands?!?

Dun DUN DUNNN!
posted by Alvy Ampersand at 12:11 PM on September 15, 2006 [1 favorite]

I don't know, I feel more comfortable knowing this technology is mass distributed than not. Lets us keep the government in check. Same with guns. If the military and law enforcement were the only people with guns in this country I would be pretty scared.
posted by banished at 12:12 PM on September 15, 2006

You're supposed to be outraged that security companies are allowed to sell militiary equipment that is supposedly illegal in the United States.
posted by citizenkane at 12:12 PM on September 15, 2006

On the other hand, I could use an unmanned drone plane or twelve.
posted by Alvy Ampersand at 12:13 PM on September 15, 2006

My last comment was directed to Evstar.
posted by citizenkane at 12:14 PM on September 15, 2006

*cleanup needed on aisle 54792*
posted by monju_bosatsu at 12:14 PM on September 15, 2006

This would be a fun way to run a sting operation.

Wouldn't it?

[hint]
posted by CynicalKnight at 12:16 PM on September 15, 2006

Outrage!
posted by mr_roboto at 12:17 PM on September 15, 2006

If unmanned drone airplanes are illegal, only outlaws will have unmanned drone airplanes!
posted by mr_roboto at 12:19 PM on September 15, 2006

total outrage fatigue....
posted by photoslob at 12:19 PM on September 15, 2006

OMG! What are we going to do?!!!
posted by InfidelZombie at 12:19 PM on September 15, 2006

Are American Security companies supplying terrorists?

This title sounds better when reading it with a Geraldo-FOXNews-exposé! accent.
posted by Blazecock Pileon at 12:19 PM on September 15, 2006

You communists can have my unmanned drone when you pry it from my cold, dead hands.
posted by Humanzee at 12:21 PM on September 15, 2006

Thanks, I've already ordered one Check Mate Semen Detection Test Kit! To detect semen, just like the military and terrorists. Lookout semendoers, I'm on the case.
posted by Divine_Wino at 12:21 PM on September 15, 2006

I'm pretty sure they'd ship a crateful of their goods to a random province in Afghanistan, no problem. You've just got to call ahead and fill out a credit application to qualify as a reseller. Fools!
posted by prostyle at 12:21 PM on September 15, 2006

Time to trot this link out again.
posted by boo_radley at 12:21 PM on September 15, 2006

I wouldn't mind having a cell phone jammer. There are plenty of inconsiderate people using those things irresponsibly, and I'd love to be able to shut them up with the press of a button.
posted by Jatayu das at 12:21 PM on September 15, 2006

What's the difference between an unmanned drone plane and an RC model airplane? Or are those supposed to be illegal now?
posted by justkevin at 12:22 PM on September 15, 2006

This isn't "mass distribution" of military and law enforcement products. From the page citizenkane linked:

Some of the products we offer can not be advertised and displayed to the public over the internet. If you are a member of a verifiable law enforcement agency don't hesitate to contact us - fill out our simple online verification form. After we confirm your status we can provide you with access to our full line of law enforcement products.

The public portion of the website sells run of the mill stuff like GPS devices, wiretap detectors, hidden cameras, etc. You can't actually buy drone airplanes or cell phone jammers unless you verify you are law enforcement. So this post is nothing but alarmist bunk.
posted by brain_drain at 12:23 PM on September 15, 2006

Worst post ever.
posted by fixedgear at 12:29 PM on September 15, 2006

On the other hand, I could use an unmanned drone plane or twelve.

I prefer manned drone airplanes. Strap a toddler or two under each wing for shits and giggles.
posted by ROU_Xenophobe at 12:31 PM on September 15, 2006

You're supposed to be outraged.
thanks for telling us how to interpret that. treating people as though they're stupid for not agreeing with you is why people hate the left. even if they agree with the opinion.
posted by andywolf at 12:32 PM on September 15, 2006

andywolf writes "thanks for telling us how to interpret that. treating people as though they're stupid for not agreeing with you is why people hate the left. "

In all fairness, Evstar did ask....
posted by mr_roboto at 12:36 PM on September 15, 2006

So, I can buy a semi-automatic machine gun that can be easily converted to full-auto in some states (Oregon if I remember correctly), but I can't jam cellphones?
posted by Kickstart70 at 12:37 PM on September 15, 2006

my apologies
posted by andywolf at 12:37 PM on September 15, 2006

ating people as though they're stupid for not agreeing with you is why people hate the left.

The "left"? Where does leftism come in here?

Ya buncha degenerates.
posted by sonofsamiam at 12:43 PM on September 15, 2006

posted by prostyle at 12:43 PM on September 15, 2006

That's some nice animated gif violence right there.
posted by brain_drain at 12:47 PM on September 15, 2006

Suddenly, this thread is worth every minute.
posted by koeselitz at 12:54 PM on September 15, 2006

...and that's hard to do with any thread whose justification includes "you're supposed to be outraged that..."
posted by koeselitz at 1:06 PM on September 15, 2006

Hang on, you guys let any old idiot own a gun, but we're supposed to worried about this stuff?
posted by Artw at 1:14 PM on September 15, 2006