The client server protocol only lets you specify arbitrary equipment when you connect. To change equipment during the game, you have to Types.Messages.LOOT a dropped item.
LOOT is an action in the client server protocol - you can't easily use it. The important part is that you can only equip an item that is available to be picked up, unlike when you first connect. You can specify any weapon and armor when you first connect, which is why editing the local storage works.
