TheSagaContinues

When it comes to Connections there probably are two ways one might look at it.

Now the first, and way I see it, is that Connections will get you the licensing needed for equipment of the stated value or less; you may not need to pay the fee or make the check but you'd still need the time to get it.  Once you have it you are free to buy all the equipment you want although you might wonder about possession limits for individual items.  A 2nd-level character with Connections might have a source for Thermal Detonators but still might not want to have two of them in his possession if stopped.

I could also see reading Connections as being able to "explain away" that value of equipment without having a license for it.  This may be more of the "someone will just get you the time" but I really don't think this is the right interpretation.

As for getting stopped with questionable material you might be able to legally get an item but I'd question how many you might have (that 2nd level could hold one thermal detonator but two would get him in trouble) and then you may also run into "local restrictions" that don't actually care about any licensing and while it may be "legal" for you to have that item that doesn't always give you permission to carry. or especially use, it just anywhere.