“The police force of Bloomington, Georgia, also took advantage of federal subsidies recently when it purchased four grenade launchers, which might be overkill for a town of less than 3,000 people. As if supplying local police units with heavy firepower wasn’t concerning enough, the federal government does not instruct police departments on how to use their new toys. Additionally, the Department of Defense Excess Property Program, commonly known as the 1033 Program, requires police departments to surrender any equipment not put to use within a year, which explains why police would show up to a protest decked out in camouflage and armed to the teeth.”
http://www.hardassetsalliance.com/investing-news/newsletter/gold-no-longer-a-safe-haven-asset#a3