Think Tank

Tank Think

During the Sandy Hook aftermath, there were multiple instances of 2nd Amendment enemies making statements about how individuals do not have a real need to possess semi-automatic weapons, of which they suggest are the equivalent of automatic weapons.  Over and over I heard different politicians arguing that there was no plausible end to the 2nd Amendment right and that citizens could claim the right to own a tank.
A nonsensical argument without a doubt, but now I've received an email from my Republican Senator explaining how it was right for the DHS to be hoarding ammunition and required 16 armored vehicles.

Dear Mr. Man:  (not my real name) 

Thank you for contacting me regarding bullet and armored vehicle purchases by the Department of Homeland Security. I appreciate hearing from you and am grateful for the opportunity to respond.  I apologize for my delayed response to you.  I have received a high volume of letters in the last few months and that is the reason for the delay.  Please know that your opinion was taken into consideration at the time your letter was received. 

In March 2012, the Department of Homeland Security awarded an open-ended contract in which a company will supply the agency with up to 90 million bullets per year for five years, adding up to a potential maximum of 450 million bullets at the end of five years.  This supply of bullets is to be used by all of the 20-plus DHS firearm carrying agencies, including the Secret Service, Customs and Border Patrol, and Immigration and Customs Enforcement.  This contract is part of DHS' strategic efforts to combine multiple previous contracts in order to leverage the purchasing power of the entire department, including the Federal Law Enforcement Training Center (FLETC), which has its main facility in Georgia.  Additionally, in February 2013, DHS issued a one-time solicitation for 240,000 rounds to cover the ammunition requirements at FLETC while a larger, department-wide contract is finalized. 

In 2008 alone, DHS fired 33.6 million bullets alone at the three FLETC training ranges across the United States, including the facility in Brunswick, Georgia. The vast majority of these rounds are fired during training and practice. Each of the depatment's roughly 130,000 sworn law enforcement officers going through basic firearms training will fire over 1,000 rounds. Officers are also required to qualify with their weapon every year, accounting for a few hundred rounds, and will often go through additional firearms training programs, each of which can use over 1,000 rounds. There are concerns over the legality of purchasing hollow-point bullets, but U.S. law enforcement has always used this type of bullet and they are legal.  

Finally, I understand your concerns surrounding the purchase of armored vehicles by DHS.  The department has described the purpose of these vehicles to be used for serving high-risk warrants against drug traffickers and smugglers.  Nationwide, DHS has 16 armored vehicles that were transferred to them from the Department of Defense.  The vehicles have been modified and are used by the DHS Special Response Team.  The team is only dispatched during the most high-risk situations. 

I understand your concerns relating to the ammunition and vehicle's use and the cost of the purchases.  Just as local law enforcement agencies must train their officers to protect local communities, federal agencies must train their agents to effectively and safely enforce federal laws and protect our nation's borders, coastlines, and waterways.  Rest assured, I will keep your thoughts in mind as I work on issues related to the Department of Homeland Security. 

Thank you again for contacting me.  Please visit my webpage at http://www.isakson.senate.gov/ for more information on the issues important to you and to sign up for my e-newsletter. 

Sincerely,

Johnny Isakson

United States Senator

I do feel "assured", after having been delivered a rationalization for equipment purchased to control citizens with force. Republicans are just as much for a powerful central government and Democrats.  In many, many ways they are hard to tell apart.  

 

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