Are America's police too heavily armed?

Law enforcement agencies across America are increasingly using military-grade tactical equipment left over from our wars.

[grenograno]

They deserve that stuff. For god's sake citizens are making deadly weapons, and some own automatic weapons. The police need to be 1 step ahead.

[MrReallyHard]

Yes, American Citizens should not be treated like enemies.

[lilbigbrow]

In my city we are about 60-70 thousands people here in Sweden and we rarely see any police except ambulance. You could go about a month without seeing any police.

[MixMeAdrink]

As someone who lives in the Boston area, I'm glad to see heavily armed officers during the Boston bombing. 

[lunaticmaryjane]

american policemen are armed so heavily because they are not public servant - they are Govt soldier. They have to protect the country in case of terroristic act...or civil riot. today both is very might to happen

[DaneReidVoiceOver]

I don't care about the kind of weapons they have. I'm more concerned with the kind of training they receive. How equipped are they to deal with the public and their problems. That's the issue.

[nikkihilton]

Today not just police but many citizens armed very well. At the times ordinary citizen has one gun cop don't need to be armed so heavily. But today, when americans have AKAs and military weapons? No wonder

[lavellemuniz]

The trend towards heavy weapons police began in the mid 80s. Police departments in major cities of the United States reacted to more severe forms of organized crime, creating a special forces troops. Armored cars, SUVs Hummer, ATVs and army weapons have become the norm.

[carmanhobbs]

an ill-considered policy of the federal government of the US has led to the fact that some police units are equipped and armed better than elite American special forces army carrying duty somewhere near Kabul.

[thefoxdoctor]

Yes they are BUT the American citizens are equally armed if not more

[kevinparks]

It is about time CNN that you finally got with the program, we are now living in a police state here in this land of the NOT SO

[younglassiter]

Many Americans think that the "arms race" in the police force is not commensurate with the threat, and perhaps even dangerous.

[danielplesser]

The police should have the most advanced guns affordable

[katherinlombardi]

Today in America disproportionately number of Army weapons is purchased by Minorities sheriffs and police stations in rural areas with low crime 
So, why?!

[teishadonaldson]

The greatest love of Americans is the love to arms.

[saintmichaelsarchangel]

Short answer? Um no they aren’t, there’s a reason that police get equipment like that

[associatedstress]

Finally someone other than you tube channels are talking about this!  This has been going on for some time. 

[jaydenmadden]

I don’t think police use humvees I’m pretty sure that was national guard.

[herlindaraley]

The police not only armed with an infinite number of weapons, but also uses it to everybody!

[BananenBrot]

In Germany this would be impossible. It Looks more like an Army to me :D