California universities stockpiling AR-15s, grenades and submachine guns

5 hours ago

California public colleges and universities own military-grade weaponry like AR-15s, stun grenades, and sonic weapons, justified by state law for civilian safety under strict conditions.
A 2021 transparency law requires campus police to publicly report equipment, hold forums, and get annual re-approval, but an investigation found widespread non-compliance, including missing reports and forums.
Several campuses, including San Jose State and San Francisco State, own AR-15s despite Cal State policy restrictions, claiming them as 'standard issue' to bypass reporting, raising legal ambiguities.
Many police departments failed to hold required public forums in 2025, with some using minimal publicity like social media posts without records, and governing boards not reviewing policies annually as mandated.
Equipment inventories include hundreds of semi-automatic rifles, thousands of chemical munitions, and drone for emergency management, but reports often lack details like quantities or manufacturers, hindering transparency.
Student activism, like at Mount San Antonio College, successfully opposed AR-15 purchases through protests, highlighting concerns over militarization silencing dissent on campuses.
Following inquiries, some colleges like Compton College took corrective actions, adopting policies and oversight committees, while others downsized inventories, showing a trend toward compliance and reduced militarization.

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