Several House Republicans have put forward legislation aimed at de-militarizing federal agencies, many of which have developed SWAT-like teams over the years.

The 2002 Homeland Security Act gave most offices of inspector general the authority to create their own law enforcement teams. That led agencies like the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration, the Food and Drug Administration and others to create teams to conduct raids and arrests.

But Rep. Chris Stewart, R-Utah, and other Republicans say the federal government has gone too far.

"I understand that federal agents must be capable of protecting themselves, but what we have observed goes far beyond providing necessary protection," he said Wednesday. "When there are genuinely dangerous situations involving federal law, that's the job of the Department of Justice, not regulatory agencies like the FDA or the Department of Education."

He notes that in 2010, the FDA mounted an armed raid against a grocery store that was accused of selling raw milk. Agents from the Department of Education and the Bureau of Land Management have conducted similar armed raids.

"Not only is it overkill, but having these highly armed units within dozens of agencies is duplicative, costly, heavy handed, dangerous and destroys any sense of trust between citizens and the federal government," he added.

His bill, the Regulatory Agency De-militarization Act, or the RAD Act, would repeal the arrest and firearm authority given to inspector general offices in 2002. It would prohibit agencies not traditionally involved in law enforcement from buying machine guns and other weapons.

It would also require a report to be written that details every agency that is getting tactical, military training.

His bill was introduced just before a shooting unfolded in San Bernardino, California, that resulted in the death of 14 victims, plus the two suspects. That event, like the many shootings over the last few years, has led to calls for tighter gun restrictions nationwide.

It is also again leading many Democrats to say Republicans are stubbornly resisting new, nationwide gun restrictions at a time when most people support some steps in that direction.

Stewart's bill is co-sponsored by Republican Reps. Mark Amodei of Nevada, Kevin Cramer of North Dakota, Jeff Duncan of South Carolina, Virginia Foxx of North Carolina, Sam Graves of Missouri, and Reid Ribble of Wisconsin.

CORRECTION: An earlier version of this story misidentified the states Mark Amodei and Virginia Foxx represent. The Washington Examiner regrets the error.

Read Stewart's bill here:



