That absolutely helps create a framework for plot. I am not sure that the government's sole interest is in weaponizing magic, but it certainly has groups that consider it a goal, especially if other countries aggressively pursue the use of magic as well. There are religious lobbies and civil unrest to consider, as well as containing all the spiritual events that happen with magic absent an apparent actor, ie a person using it.

It also becomes more apparent to me that we need to probably stick this right in a large city in the US. We can design one to fit or we can use an existing one heavily modified. 

I'm almost in favor of inventing one.