I don't think that heavier weaponry qualifies for being "police state". It means all-around rigid control.
If I would be American, I would be more concerned about the dual party system, since that is one party away from one party system (like in Nazi-Germany, Soviet Union and China). Although by international standards and according to studies, USA is not even now considered to be the most democratic countries.
"The US is an oligarchy, study concludes
Report by researchers from Princeton and Northwestern universities suggests that US political system serves special interest organisations, instead of voters "
http://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/worl...concludes.html