Should Military Give Cops Gear?

Sen. Claire McCaskill, D-Mo. listens to witnesses testify on Capitol Hill in Washington on Tuesday, during a Senate Homeland Security Committee hearing on federal programs that equip state and local police with military equipment. The issue gained nationwide attention during violent conflicts between police in Ferguson and protesters upset about the fatal police shooting of an unarmed 18-year-old. (AP Photo/J. Scott Applewhite)

Lawmakers said Tuesday they were considering doing more to monitor and hold accountable police departments across the United States that obtain sophisticated military equipment from the federal government. The new scrutiny on Capitol Hill was prompted by weeks of violent conflicts between police in Ferguson, Missouri, and protesters upset about the fatal police shooting of an unarmed 18-year-old. Most military equipment, including some rifles and armored vehicles, is provided to local police under a program administered by the Homeland Security and Defense departments/ Associated Press . More here .

Question: How would you recommend that Congress deal with this hot potato?