Jim Sinclair's MineSet quote

In the US, the Patriot Act allows for the contents of safety deposit boxes to be seized without a search warrant when its deemed to be a matter of ‘national security’. In the event that we have a systemic banking crisis we could easily see such laws invoked and your assets will be at risk. Jim strongly advocates that you remove all third parties between you and your investments. If you cannot store them personally I would certainly seek storage outside of the system. There are potential options available for international storage that are not expensive. Please let me know if that is of interest to you.

- Peter Mickelberg

Not-So-Safe-Deposit Boxes: States Seize Citizens' Property to Balance Their Budgets

This is an oldie, but goodie, so I am re-posting it. 

http://abcnews.go.com/print?id=4832471

U.S DEPARTMENT OF HOMELAND SECURITY HAS TOLD BANKS - IN WRITING - IT MAY INSPECT SAFE DEPOSIT BOXES WITHOUT WARRANT AND SIEZE ANY GOLD, SILVER, GUNS OR OTHER VALUABLES IT FINDS INSIDE THOSE BOXES!

http://oregonrepublic.posterous.com/us-department-of-homeland-security-has-told-b

I do know banks can deny customer access to safety deposit boxes.  I am not sure of the implications of the Patriot Act, but I wouldn't be surprised if this is true.  Readers should perform their own due diligence, as will I.