Ga. congressman wants to curb military surplus program

WASHINGTON (AP) -- A Democratic congressman is introducing a bill to curb a Defense Department program that provides machine guns and other surplus military equipment for free to local law enforcement agencies across the country.<br /> <br /> Rep. Hank Johnson of Georgia says his bill is a response to the death of an unarmed black teenager shot by a white police officer in a St. Louis suburb. The bill comes as members of Congress have called for the Justice Department to investigate the shooting in Ferguson, Mo.<br /> <br /> Johnson said city streets should be a place for businesses and families, "not tanks and M16s." He said a 24-year-old Pentagon program that transfers surplus military equipment to local law enforcement has led to police agencies resembling paramilitary forces.