*promote
Finally at least a step in the right direction.

Self promoting this video and sending it back into the queue for one more try; last queued Monday, May 18th, 2015 6:20pm PDT - promote requested by original submitter newtboy.

"We need to get rid of all this heavy weaponry and armour. The APCs, the grenade launchers. All of that junk. What other kind of things are the police parading around with?"

"Tanks, Obama"

The problem isn't the equipment, it's the people using it. It's a nice step but mainly nothing but show. Better training and oversight are far more important.

Can't it be both?
I think people use the tools they're given, and if you give people tools of war to do civil servant work, it can't go well.
That said, I agree 100% about the training and oversight part being more important, but something's better than nothing.

But it's just political show for the masses. Look here, we do something about our shitty police! That's the sad part.
That won't stop cops from showing up with SWAT teams at your house because you didn't pay parking tickets.
The problem isn't being run over with a tank or getting shot to pieces by .50 cal machine guns. Any sensible law enforcement officer working in the US should just know that this is ridiculous overkill. They're not fighting Terminators or Transformers, they're fighting fleshy, squishy humans.
And here's the real problem. They shoot people with handguns and kneel on their throats. They spray you with mace or beat you with sticks. They use somewhat low tech weaponry to cross the lines.
The only field where that military equipment could become a real problem is in mass-protest situations. Just look at the occupy protests. However, teargas, riotgear and batons are still the very effective go-to-solution.

It would be nice if surveillance equipment (Stingrays, etc) were included in this list, but the rozzers are free to get all the military grade gizmos they need to keep tabs on your ass.

Bayonets. What the fuck America.

Obama didn't restrict the USE of anything. The white house announced new restrictions on police departments from OBTAINING military-style equipment FROM the federal government. If the local police want bayonets, grenade launchers, etc. they are still free to purchase them elsewhere.

Really? Where are these available to non-military agencies? I want a grenade launcher mounted to my warthog/drone, just in case my neighbor gets out of control.
I don't think the police are allowed to buy illegal arms on the black market, even if they are allowed to have them....but maybe I'm wrong about that...I just hope not.

EDIT: As to the use, yes, that's disappointing, but one step at a time is better than no progress at all.

Someone remind me...what happened at the Branch Davidian compound?

Whatcha gonna do when they come for youuuuuu..

You mean the siege that could've been avoided but we didn't because we're macho idiots? Those Branch Davidians?

The feds will reserve all of those tanks, rocket launchers, MRAPs, etc for themselves.

It's typical...don't let the states have any of that equipment because it's too much...we'll just store it in this warehouse over her until WE need it.

And then what? They're gonna take your guns away?
Always this silly paranoia about jade helmets and black helicopters. They don't send armed troops for you, they just sell you to Walmart. What good are heavily armed cops when they're owned by OCP?

The manufacturers will be more than happy to ship the artillery. Obama is just not gonna pay for it.

APCs are available to anyone with at least a good credit rating. You can't buy military spec transport, but you can certainly buy BETTER than military spec.