Comment by majormajor

IMO Chesterton'ing the state of policing in the US results in deep fundamental awkwardness.

Why are police heavily armed and adopting military tactics?

Because of famous encounters with heavily-armed criminals by lightly-equipped cops.

Why are criminals able to be so heavily armed?

Because of treating a "right to bear arms" as semi-sacred. Supposedly in the name of distrust of government.

A heavily-armed citizenry doesn't have to lead to fascism but it can certainly give people great excuses to enable it... (See also how it allows the existence of armed private militias who will talk about "standing by" to assist with certain government actions.)