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LOL They have not figured it out yet

Comments

  • fishkiller41fishkiller41 Member Posts: 50,608
    edited November -1
    What's the story,in a nutshell Frank?
    My GF rewired the PC today and I have no sound right now..
  • gesshotsgesshots Member Posts: 15,678 ✭✭✭✭
    edited November -1
    6 mins of speculation (babble) and he wrote a letter......

    Typical politicing.... you missed nothing. [;)]
    It's being willing. I found out early that most men, regardless of cause or need, aren't willing. They blink an eye or draw a breath before they pull the trigger. I won't. ~ J.B. Books
  • FrancFFrancF Member Posts: 35,279 ✭✭✭
    edited November -1
    quote:Originally posted by fishkiller41
    What's the story,in a nutshell Frank?
    My GF rewired the PC today and I have no sound right now..


    Politicians are just now starting to ask questions as to why the DHS, Socical Security administration, Post office, etc. are buying such huge amounts of ammo.

    The latest figure of 1.6 (combined total) billion rounds of ammo over 5 years would be enough to supply the Iraq War for 24 years (at the height of combat).


    Then couple that with the purchase of 2,700+- MRAP trucks
    homeland-security-navistar-mrap-vehicle.jpg
  • bambambambambambam Member Posts: 4,818 ✭✭✭
    edited November -1
    1) They are buying to keep us from getting it.

    2) The are stock piling it to use on us.

    Lose.Lose[B)]
  • mcasomcaso Member Posts: 1,119 ✭✭✭✭✭
    edited November -1
    Check out Club of Rome and it's recommendations etc. and ask yourself what will the various scenarios be. Using small yield nuclear bombs to eliminating half the worlds population is going to be quite a planetary disruption. What one does not have will not be made for a long time.
  • PTHEIMPTHEIM Member Posts: 3,374
    edited November -1
    Hey, will a .50cal or 12ga saboted slug take ot that rear pumpkin case on that MRAP??

    I hear there's some 8mm., 30-06, 7.62x39 and 54mm steel cored rounds out there for sale.
  • enforcinatorenforcinator Member Posts: 232 ✭✭✭
    edited November -1
    seems to me if you flip them on their side or top and block the back door they are quite useless except maybe as a stationary target.
  • Waco WaltzWaco Waltz Member Posts: 10,836 ✭✭
    edited November -1
    Where is that one member who's always saying this story is a non issue??
  • chollagardenschollagardens Member Posts: 4,614 ✭✭✭
    edited November -1
    They are buying in bulk to get a better price???????????

    With a shortage more demand would drive the price up.

    Why would a company sell to one outfit for less when they could sell for more to the private sector?

    Another topic posted was about a shortage of ammo in the military. Why would the military have a shortage when another part of the goverment is over buying?
  • ChrisInTempeChrisInTempe Member Posts: 15,562
    edited November -1
    They are not buying 1.6 billion of anything. That's BS. Contracts and bid requests are meaningless in figuring out what a Federal agency spends or will spend. Only sales orders matter.

    DHS buys for 100,000 LEO's across dozens of Federal agencies. Typical annual training requirement is 1000 rounds per year to stay qualified. So that's the minimum amount of shooting each LEO does, many will do more. Do the math, the numbers get real big real quick. DHS has never bought ammo quantities out of step with that and never more than a small fraction of what is being claimed.
  • enforcinatorenforcinator Member Posts: 232 ✭✭✭
    edited November -1
    I still don't understand why ammo is being purchased by departments that are not usually involved in police actions, unless they are straw purchases to use monies not budgeted for DHS.

    What does the weather service need with hollow point ammo anyways?

    I'm sorry, but there are too many walking and talking ducks to just call this a non issue.

    The way I see it is the government wants more teeth while pulling ours. The sooner this administration is canned the better off we all will be.
  • ChrisInTempeChrisInTempe Member Posts: 15,562
    edited November -1
    quote:Originally posted by enforcinator
    ...

    What does the weather service need with hollow point ammo anyways?
    ...



    The National Weather Service does not need and does not have hollow point bullets:
    http://www.foxnews.com/politics/2012/08/17/agencies-tamp-down-speculation-over-hollow-point-ammo-purchases/
  • guntech59guntech59 Member Posts: 23,188 ✭✭✭
    edited November -1
    quote:Originally posted by FrancF

    homeland-security-navistar-mrap-vehicle.jpg


    That looks like something our local police could use.
  • guntech59guntech59 Member Posts: 23,188 ✭✭✭
    edited November -1
    quote:Originally posted by ChrisInTempe
    They are not buying 1.6 billion of anything. That's BS. Contracts and bid requests are meaningless in figuring out what a Federal agency spends or will spend. Only sales orders matter.

    DHS buys for 100,000 LEO's across dozens of Federal agencies. Typical annual training requirement is 1000 rounds per year to stay qualified. So that's the minimum amount of shooting each LEO does, many will do more. Do the math, the numbers get real big real quick. DHS has never bought ammo quantities out of step with that and never more than a small fraction of what is being claimed.




    Can you give us a source for this figure? Our DOD Police and local Customs/DHS guys don't shoot nearly that much.
  • ChrisInTempeChrisInTempe Member Posts: 15,562
    edited November -1
    quote:Originally posted by guntech59
    quote:Originally posted by ChrisInTempe
    They are not buying 1.6 billion of anything. That's BS. Contracts and bid requests are meaningless in figuring out what a Federal agency spends or will spend. Only sales orders matter.

    DHS buys for 100,000 LEO's across dozens of Federal agencies. Typical annual training requirement is 1000 rounds per year to stay qualified. So that's the minimum amount of shooting each LEO does, many will do more. Do the math, the numbers get real big real quick. DHS has never bought ammo quantities out of step with that and never more than a small fraction of what is being claimed.




    Can you give us a source for this figure? Our DOD Police and local Customs/DHS guys don't shoot nearly that much.


    See responses from DHS to Senator Coburn here:
    http://www.coburn.senate.gov/public/index.cfm/2013/2/dr-coburn-releases-correspondence-with-dhs-regarding-ammunition-purchases

    Lot of details there. Most of the ammo is listed for quarterly qualifications, basic and advanced training.
  • ChrisInTempeChrisInTempe Member Posts: 15,562
    edited November -1
    quote:Originally posted by guntech59
    quote:Originally posted by FrancF

    homeland-security-navistar-mrap-vehicle.jpg


    That looks like something our local police could use.


    Our county sheriff has an APC with a .50 cal on it. Big Fat Hairy Deal.

    That armored vehicle is not a USMC MRAP. The contracts are for the USMC, mostly for repairs and upgrades to beat up and worn out vehicles.

    That is one armored truck, where are the others?

    2700 MRAPS for any other agency is a typical Drudge/Alex Jones fabrication.
  • guntech59guntech59 Member Posts: 23,188 ✭✭✭
    edited November -1
    Chris, the link you gave me shows about 270,000,000 rounds for FY 10-12....3 years.

    I'd still like an explanation of why they need 1,600,000,000 rounds for 5 years.

    That is 6 times as much ammo for less than twice the time.

    1000 rounds per year. Infantry guys don't even use that much in their training.

    Also, do you think that local police agencies need armored vehicles?
  • dlrjjdlrjj Member Posts: 5,529 ✭✭
    edited November -1
    quote:Originally posted by guntech59
    Chris, the link you gave me shows about 270,000,000 rounds for FY 10-12....3 years.

    I'd still like an explanation of why they need 1,600,000,000 rounds for 5 years.

    That is 6 times as much ammo for less than twice the time.

    1000 rounds per year. Infantry guys don't even use that much in their training.

    Also, do you think that local police agencies need armored vehicles?
    Are you sure they are buying it, or is that just a "drawing account" number that may or may not ever even come close to being purchased?

    It's just as likely that some of that is a deliberate attempt to "spend" budget surpluses so that monies don't get cut in future years, and that possibility is just as unknown.

    On the other hand, do people really think an organized attack of that supposed level is going to be done with pistols?

    Virtually everyone here would easily outgun them.
    Tax evasion is illegal, tax avoidance is an art form.
  • ChrisInTempeChrisInTempe Member Posts: 15,562
    edited November -1
    quote:Originally posted by guntech59
    Chris, the link you gave me shows about 270,000,000 rounds for FY 10-12....3 years.

    I'd still like an explanation of why they need 1,600,000,000 rounds for 5 years.

    That is 6 times as much ammo for less than twice the time.

    1000 rounds per year. Infantry guys don't even use that much in their training.

    Also, do you think that local police agencies need armored vehicles?


    dlrjj made excellent points in the post before mine ...

    They do not need 1.6 billion rounds and they are not buying 1.6 billion rounds. It is not real.

    Federal contract awards / bid requests are not orders for product. They are theoretical maximums. A trick to get lower prices quoted and a dirty one at that. Companies have to be able to meet the maximum to receive the contract.

    Contracts are meaningless in terms of income, only sales orders matter. Every defense industry company knows this. Winning a contract award is all pie in the sky until the sales orders come in against that contract award.

    This is the industry I work in. It is routine to receive a contract "worth" more, sometimes very much more, than the orders you will total up in the time the contract lasts.

    If you think Federal cops should not use 250 rounds per quarter for qualifications, basic and advanced training, well that's a good point to make noise about. Doesn't change the standards that exist now.

    I think a small number of armored vehicles is perfectly fine. Something adequate to rescue victims from in front of a shooter barricaded in a house, that kind of thing. I do not like the idea of massive sums spent on any fancy, plush or over sized vehicle. That's much more about prestige than dealing with the worst kinds of bad guys.
  • Waco WaltzWaco Waltz Member Posts: 10,836 ✭✭
    edited November -1
    quote:Originally posted by ChrisInTempe
    They are not buying 1.6 billion of anything. That's BS. Contracts and bid requests are meaningless in figuring out what a Federal agency spends or will spend. Only sales orders matter.

    DHS buys for 100,000 LEO's across dozens of Federal agencies. Typical annual training requirement is 1000 rounds per year to stay qualified. So that's the minimum amount of shooting each LEO does, many will do more. Do the math, the numbers get real big real quick. DHS has never bought ammo quantities out of step with that and never more than a small fraction of what is being claimed.







    I am not going to say where but in the town I live next to some company, not ATK is building a brand new facility to produce Ammunition and hiring 250 workers. My Step Dad's brother works for this outfit and he makes ten an hour.

    Somebody is going to make some ammo and I'd think that if your nay saying statements were true the capacity could be handled by the existing manufacturing plants.
  • guntech59guntech59 Member Posts: 23,188 ✭✭✭
    edited November -1
    quote:Originally posted by ChrisInTempe
    quote:Originally posted by guntech59
    Chris, the link you gave me shows about 270,000,000 rounds for FY 10-12....3 years.

    I'd still like an explanation of why they need 1,600,000,000 rounds for 5 years.

    That is 6 times as much ammo for less than twice the time.

    1000 rounds per year. Infantry guys don't even use that much in their training.

    Also, do you think that local police agencies need armored vehicles?


    dlrjj made excellent points in the post before mine ...

    They do not need 1.6 billion rounds and they are not buying 1.6 billion rounds. It is not real.

    Federal contract awards / bid requests are not orders for product. They are theoretical maximums. A trick to get lower prices quoted and a dirty one at that. Companies have to be able to meet the maximum to receive the contract.

    Contracts are meaningless in terms of income, only sales orders matter. Every defense industry company knows this. Winning a contract award is all pie in the sky until the sales orders come in against that contract award.

    This is the industry I work in. It is routine to receive a contract "worth" more, sometimes very much more, than the orders you will total up in the time the contract lasts.

    If you think Federal cops should not use 250 rounds per quarter for qualifications, basic and advanced training, well that's a good point to make noise about. Doesn't change the standards that exist now.

    I think a small number of armored vehicles is perfectly fine. Something adequate to rescue victims from in front of a shooter barricaded in a house, that kind of thing. I do not like the idea of massive sums spent on any fancy, plush or over sized vehicle. That's much more about prestige than dealing with the worst kinds of bad guys.



    So we just believe them and don't question anything? That is NOT the most people operate. We deserve an explanation from the DHS, not a lecture from some stranger on an internet forum (no disrespect intended).

    I did not voice an opinion on how many rouns they "should" use, just my knowledge of what actually gets used by the DOD Police on Ft Drum and The Border Patrol guys around here.
  • dlrjjdlrjj Member Posts: 5,529 ✭✭
    edited November -1
    quote:Originally posted by guntech59
    quote:Originally posted by ChrisInTempe
    quote:Originally posted by guntech59
    Chris, the link you gave me shows about 270,000,000 rounds for FY 10-12....3 years.

    I'd still like an explanation of why they need 1,600,000,000 rounds for 5 years.

    That is 6 times as much ammo for less than twice the time.

    1000 rounds per year. Infantry guys don't even use that much in their training.

    Also, do you think that local police agencies need armored vehicles?


    dlrjj made excellent points in the post before mine ...

    They do not need 1.6 billion rounds and they are not buying 1.6 billion rounds. It is not real.

    Federal contract awards / bid requests are not orders for product. They are theoretical maximums. A trick to get lower prices quoted and a dirty one at that. Companies have to be able to meet the maximum to receive the contract.

    Contracts are meaningless in terms of income, only sales orders matter. Every defense industry company knows this. Winning a contract award is all pie in the sky until the sales orders come in against that contract award.

    This is the industry I work in. It is routine to receive a contract "worth" more, sometimes very much more, than the orders you will total up in the time the contract lasts.

    If you think Federal cops should not use 250 rounds per quarter for qualifications, basic and advanced training, well that's a good point to make noise about. Doesn't change the standards that exist now.

    I think a small number of armored vehicles is perfectly fine. Something adequate to rescue victims from in front of a shooter barricaded in a house, that kind of thing. I do not like the idea of massive sums spent on any fancy, plush or over sized vehicle. That's much more about prestige than dealing with the worst kinds of bad guys.



    So we just believe them and don't question anything? That is NOT the most people operate. We deserve an explanation from the DHS, not a lecture from some stranger on an internet forum (no disrespect intended).

    I did not voice an opinion on how many rouns they "should" use, just my knowledge of what actually gets used by the DOD Police on Ft Drum and The Border Patrol guys around here.
    Of course you don't just "believe", but is it any more rational to buy the nut job concept that the entire reason for this is either to prevent us from buying ANY ammunition by buying up just all the S&W 40, or that there is a planned massive assault coming by DHS agents armed basically with pistols?

    A lack of information and facts does not justify plain pure stupidity.
    Tax evasion is illegal, tax avoidance is an art form.
  • guntech59guntech59 Member Posts: 23,188 ✭✭✭
    edited November -1
    quote:Originally posted by dlrjj
    quote:Originally posted by guntech59
    quote:Originally posted by ChrisInTempe
    quote:Originally posted by guntech59
    Chris, the link you gave me shows about 270,000,000 rounds for FY 10-12....3 years.

    I'd still like an explanation of why they need 1,600,000,000 rounds for 5 years.

    That is 6 times as much ammo for less than twice the time.

    1000 rounds per year. Infantry guys don't even use that much in their training.

    Also, do you think that local police agencies need armored vehicles?


    dlrjj made excellent points in the post before mine ...

    They do not need 1.6 billion rounds and they are not buying 1.6 billion rounds. It is not real.

    Federal contract awards / bid requests are not orders for product. They are theoretical maximums. A trick to get lower prices quoted and a dirty one at that. Companies have to be able to meet the maximum to receive the contract.

    Contracts are meaningless in terms of income, only sales orders matter. Every defense industry company knows this. Winning a contract award is all pie in the sky until the sales orders come in against that contract award.

    This is the industry I work in. It is routine to receive a contract "worth" more, sometimes very much more, than the orders you will total up in the time the contract lasts.

    If you think Federal cops should not use 250 rounds per quarter for qualifications, basic and advanced training, well that's a good point to make noise about. Doesn't change the standards that exist now.

    I think a small number of armored vehicles is perfectly fine. Something adequate to rescue victims from in front of a shooter barricaded in a house, that kind of thing. I do not like the idea of massive sums spent on any fancy, plush or over sized vehicle. That's much more about prestige than dealing with the worst kinds of bad guys.



    So we just believe them and don't question anything? That is NOT the most people operate. We deserve an explanation from the DHS, not a lecture from some stranger on an internet forum (no disrespect intended).

    I did not voice an opinion on how many rouns they "should" use, just my knowledge of what actually gets used by the DOD Police on Ft Drum and The Border Patrol guys around here.
    Of course you don't just "believe", but is it any more rational to buy the nut job concept that the entire reason for this is either to prevent us from buying ANY ammunition by buying up just all the S&W 40, or that there is a planned massive assault coming by DHS agents armed basically with pistols?

    A lack of information and facts does not justify plain pure stupidity.



    I don't "buy" either side.

    You make it sound as if questioning the government is a "plain, pure stupid" thing. I think it is what we are duty bound to do. After all, they work for us and spend our money.

    I understand what you are saying about pistols, but not all the ammo is pistol ammo.

    As I said to Chris. I want an accounting from DHS, not some guy on the internet.
  • enforcinatorenforcinator Member Posts: 232 ✭✭✭
    edited November -1
    There is that pesky NATO treaty that includes a restriction on handguns. Running out the ammo in public hands and stockpiling theirs ahead of signing the treaty isn't stupid at all if ya think about it.
  • dlrjjdlrjj Member Posts: 5,529 ✭✭
    edited November -1
    quote:Originally posted by guntech59
    quote:Originally posted by dlrjj
    quote:Originally posted by guntech59
    quote:Originally posted by ChrisInTempe
    quote:Originally posted by guntech59
    Chris, the link you gave me shows about 270,000,000 rounds for FY 10-12....3 years.

    I'd still like an explanation of why they need 1,600,000,000 rounds for 5 years.

    That is 6 times as much ammo for less than twice the time.

    1000 rounds per year. Infantry guys don't even use that much in their training.

    Also, do you think that local police agencies need armored vehicles?


    dlrjj made excellent points in the post before mine ...

    They do not need 1.6 billion rounds and they are not buying 1.6 billion rounds. It is not real.

    Federal contract awards / bid requests are not orders for product. They are theoretical maximums. A trick to get lower prices quoted and a dirty one at that. Companies have to be able to meet the maximum to receive the contract.

    Contracts are meaningless in terms of income, only sales orders matter. Every defense industry company knows this. Winning a contract award is all pie in the sky until the sales orders come in against that contract award.

    This is the industry I work in. It is routine to receive a contract "worth" more, sometimes very much more, than the orders you will total up in the time the contract lasts.

    If you think Federal cops should not use 250 rounds per quarter for qualifications, basic and advanced training, well that's a good point to make noise about. Doesn't change the standards that exist now.

    I think a small number of armored vehicles is perfectly fine. Something adequate to rescue victims from in front of a shooter barricaded in a house, that kind of thing. I do not like the idea of massive sums spent on any fancy, plush or over sized vehicle. That's much more about prestige than dealing with the worst kinds of bad guys.



    So we just believe them and don't question anything? That is NOT the most people operate. We deserve an explanation from the DHS, not a lecture from some stranger on an internet forum (no disrespect intended).

    I did not voice an opinion on how many rouns they "should" use, just my knowledge of what actually gets used by the DOD Police on Ft Drum and The Border Patrol guys around here.
    Of course you don't just "believe", but is it any more rational to buy the nut job concept that the entire reason for this is either to prevent us from buying ANY ammunition by buying up just all the S&W 40, or that there is a planned massive assault coming by DHS agents armed basically with pistols?

    A lack of information and facts does not justify plain pure stupidity.



    I don't "buy" either side.

    You make it sound as if questioning the government is a "plain, pure stupid" thing. I think it is what we are duty bound to do. After all, they work for us and spend our money.

    I understand what you are saying about pistols, but not all the ammo is pistol ammo.

    As I said to Chris. I want an accounting from DHS, not some guy on the internet.
    Did I not say you don't just believe?

    How does that imply that it is stupid to question?

    What is stupid is inane and insane speculation based on nothing - particularly when it assumes the most extreme and unlikely possible cause.
    Tax evasion is illegal, tax avoidance is an art form.
  • guntech59guntech59 Member Posts: 23,188 ✭✭✭
    edited November -1
    It sounded, to me, that you were saying that just questioning the DHS was stupid. Thanks for the clarification....some guy on the internet.
  • ChrisInTempeChrisInTempe Member Posts: 15,562
    edited November -1
    quote:Originally posted by guntech59
    ...

    So we just believe them and don't question anything? That is NOT the most people operate. We deserve an explanation from the DHS, not a lecture from some stranger on an internet forum (no disrespect intended).

    I did not voice an opinion on how many rouns they "should" use, just my knowledge of what actually gets used by the DOD Police on Ft Drum and The Border Patrol guys around here.




    Who said not to question? Questioning is fine. It is essential to our form of democracy, or any form of democracy for that matter.

    But how in the heck do thin news stories become imagine'eered into vast conspiracies to commit mass murder, imprison millions and force totalitarian government upon us?

    Do people get there by way of fear?

    When did Americans lose their courage and become so fearful? So ready, willing and even anxious to be scared of evil and dark plans afoot by unseen yet massively well staffed and equipped forces?

    How is it that skepticism rejects the obvious and leaps to embrace the outlandish, denying the very skepticism that triggered the questioning in the first place?

    Explanation from DHS? We got it, multiple times. People refuse to read it. In other forums and in face to face discussions I've had people tell me, some quite angrily, that they were not about to read anything that countered what they believe about this.

    On some topics for some people it is quite clear, fear rules and skepticism is ... broken.
  • guntech59guntech59 Member Posts: 23,188 ✭✭✭
    edited November -1
    I'm not sure that fearful is the correct word....but, we sure cannot trust what elected or appointed government officials say anymore.

    I even question the "facts" that are spouted at me.

    As for the DHS...the last thing we needed in this country was another secretive, bureaucratic agency.
  • dlrjjdlrjj Member Posts: 5,529 ✭✭
    edited November -1
    quote:Originally posted by guntech59
    I'm not sure that fearful is the correct word....but, we sure cannot trust what elected or appointed government officials say anymore.

    I even question the "facts" that are spouted at me.

    As for the DHS...the last thing we needed in this country was another secretive, bureaucratic agency.


    Our government couldn't even keep a secret about a stain on a blue dress in the Oval Office, and we think international hidden governments will not be revealed, other than in World Nut Daily?

    Shadow groups often kill their own members while fighting for control, money, and power and thousands of people in dozens of organizations and countries can remain hidden - with no one selling the story to CNN?

    Suuuuure.
    Tax evasion is illegal, tax avoidance is an art form.
  • FrancFFrancF Member Posts: 35,279 ✭✭✭
    edited November -1
    - Why does the Department of Homeland Security need more ammunition than the Pentagon, which is actively fighting wars?

    - If the department has ever purchased this much ammunition before, during what period of time did these purchases occur? Were these purchases requested over a similarly short period of time (a couple of fiscal years)? What calibers were purchased and in what amounts?

    - Given that hollow points are not generally used for target practice because they are much more expensive, what is the purpose of ordering so many of this type of round?

    - If such quantities of ammunition have been purchased by government law enforcement entities in the past, are those agencies ready to make public those purchase documents, along with sworn affidavits from the companies from which said ammunition was purchased?

    - Why, in a time of budget austerity (the government is closing airport control towers and the White House to tours, for Pete's sake), is DHS spending so much on dubious equipment?

    - How does Napolitano explain the disparity between ammunition that is admittedly used every year with the actual amount ordered or requested? And why does every federal agent need nearly 14,000 rounds of ammunition?

    - What does any department within DHS need MRAPs? What is their intended use?
  • guntech59guntech59 Member Posts: 23,188 ✭✭✭
    edited November -1
    quote:Originally posted by dlrjj
    quote:Originally posted by guntech59
    I'm not sure that fearful is the correct word....but, we sure cannot trust what elected or appointed government officials say anymore.

    I even question the "facts" that are spouted at me.

    As for the DHS...the last thing we needed in this country was another secretive, bureaucratic agency.


    Our government couldn't even keep a secret about a stain on a blue dress in the Oval Office, and we think international hidden governments will not be revealed, other than in World Nut Daily?

    Shadow groups often kill their own members while fighting for control, money, and power and thousands of people in dozens of organizations and countries can remain hidden - with no one selling the story to CNN?

    Suuuuure.


    I, too, am waiting for the "un-named sources within the government".[:D]

    Meanwhile, I will continue to assume that at least half of what the government tells us, is a lie.

    Frank: All of those questions need to be answered.

    If the large purchases are about "saving money", why not buy wadcutters for all the practice and training they are doing? Much cheaper, right?
  • ChrisInTempeChrisInTempe Member Posts: 15,562
    edited November -1
    Why when all questions have been answered multiple times in multiple forums, venues, news reports, etc do some folks continue to act as if they have not been answered?

    quote:Originally posted by FrancF
    - Why does the Department of Homeland Security need more ammunition than the Pentagon, which is actively fighting wars?

    DHS does not need and does not have such quantities.

    - If the department has ever purchased this much ammunition before, during what period of time did these purchases occur? Were these purchases requested over a similarly short period of time (a couple of fiscal years)? What calibers were purchased and in what amounts?

    DHS has not purchased this much ammo this time, nor previously, no ever in the future. Neither bid requests nor contracts are purchases, not when dealing with the Federal Govt. Only Sales Orders are purchases.

    - Given that hollow points are not generally used for target practice because they are much more expensive, what is the purpose of ordering so many of this type of round?

    I practice with the cheapest stuff I can get, but I'm not a cop. When I talk to cops I know, some agencies do the same, some require officers practice with the same ammo in their duty weapons. Some have preferences both ways on this, makes for endless debates among gun owners too.

    Obviously the Federal govt police agencies take the Deluxe Approach to practice shooting. That is a legitimate reason to demand some fiscal responsibility. It is not a reason to suspect a vast conspiracy.

    - If such quantities of ammunition have been purchased by government law enforcement entities in the past, are those agencies ready to make public those purchase documents, along with sworn affidavits from the companies from which said ammunition was purchased?

    Such quantities have not been purchased in the past, in the present nor in the future.

    As to the rest, a reasonable demand. Suggest get with your Senators and Congressman directly. Especially Senator Coburn, who has received the most detailed response I have yet found. See link in earier post.

    - Why, in a time of budget austerity (the government is closing airport control towers and the White House to tours, for Pete's sake), is DHS spending so much on dubious equipment?

    It is inevitable that the larger the bureaucracy the more wasteful and inefficient it will become. A good argument behind opposing the creation of DHS. I opposed it then and oppose it today.

    But the DHS is not spending money on 1.6 billion rounds of ammo nor on 2700 MRAPS.

    - How does Napolitano explain the disparity between ammunition that is admittedly used every year with the actual amount ordered or requested? And why does every federal agent need nearly 14,000 rounds of ammunition?

    Napolitano is a lying opportunistic politician with zero credibility remaining among Arizonans, that much is real. Every Federal agent is not being handed 14,000 rounds of ammunition. Drop a zero off that as a starting point.

    The claim is that many of these agencies require about 1000 rounds for quarterly qualifications, basic and advanced training, specialized training such as SWAT, operation supplies for SWAT units, etc. The amounts purchased reflect this.

    - What does any department within DHS need MRAPs? What is their intended use?

    They do not need them and do not have 2700 MRAPs. The contracts were for rebuilds, repairs and upgrades for USMC vehicles, not all of which are MRAPs. For answers as to how the like of Alex Jones, DNW and other crazies managed to twist this into DHS buying 2700 MRAPs you will need to ask their psychiatrists.
  • FrancFFrancF Member Posts: 35,279 ✭✭✭
    edited November -1
    quote:For answers as to how the like of Alex Jones, DNW and other crazies managed to twist this into DHS buying 2700 MRAPs you will need to ask their psychiatrists.

    It Not Alex Jones saying it-[;)] It is all your Alphabet networks saying it.

    More links with solicitation to buy.
    http://www.naturalnews.com/038844_DHS_assault_weapons_documents.html
  • ChrisInTempeChrisInTempe Member Posts: 15,562
    edited November -1
    quote:Originally posted by FrancF
    ...
    It Not Alex Jones saying it-[;)] It is all your Alphabet networks saying it.

    More links with solicitation to buy.
    ...
    http://www.naturalnews.com/038844_DHS_assault_weapons_documents.html



    They are not my news networks. Some of them are your news networks, among other peoples. I use Google and search for news, I follow no one or several media sources routinely. In part because all too often the big old standard bearers of news pick up stories from the quackpots like Brietbart and Jones and repeat them without checking. Because their budgets have been slashed and they can no longer afford the caliber of staff they once had.

    Anyway...

    Documents on this request for quotes:
    https://www.fbo.gov/?tab=documents&tabmode=form&subtab=core&tabid=9ff0e70e73e9bab28dd222602483b783

    Some excerpts from those documents, I have to read this sort of stuff all the time in my work.

    B.6 MINIMUM AND MAXIMUM
    During the base period and four option periods of this contract the assured minimum is $30,000. During the base period and four option periods of this contract the maximum ceiling is $9,800,000.

    Notice what a crazy contract this is. The bidder must be able to meet an unknown size of order. The total value of the contract is anywhere from the minimum to 327 times the minimum. How in the hell does a manufacturer plan around that?

    This is what I keep saying, bid requests and contract awards are bullcrap. Only sales orders mean a damned thing in this business.

    PART I - THE SCHEDULE
    SECTION C - DESCRIPTION/SPECIFICATIONS/STATEMENT OF WORK
    C-6
    3.7 Supplemental Items. The following items shall be supplied with each firearm model submitted for solicitation and FAT testing:
    - All potential spare parts (excluding trigger assembly, barrel, bolt, bolt carrier assembly, and receiver) needed to support reliability/durability testing outlined in Sections 3.23/3.24. The quantity of spare parts supplied by the Contractor should be based on the Contractor's recommended maintenance intervals for a 7,500 round test.
    - Two (2) sets of special tools, if needed, for complete disassemble/reassemble of the firearm.

    3.8 Training. The Contractor shall provide armorer training within thirty days of contract award. Training shall be provided to no less than twelve (12) designated armorers, on-site at the NFTTU Altoona, PA location. Training duration shall be up to five (5) days in length and will cover all aspects of maintenance, repair, and overhaul/rebuild of the firearm. Training will include firearm design, operation, assembly/disassembly, maintenance, malfunctions, and gaging. The Contractor shall provide two (2) cut-away models of the firearm at the time of on-site training and these will become the property of the NFTTU.

    3.24.2 Cycles Completed - Reliability. Each firearm will be rated for its ability to complete 250 round firing cycles without repair or replacement of parts.

    3.25 Durability.
    3.25.1 Three (3) samples used during reliability shall be tested with an additional 3,500 rounds (per firearm).



    Now think about the cost of all that testing, training of armorers on-site not in the factory. Many tens of thousands of rounds. Hundreds of rounds per weapon. The cost of facilities, of personnel, of travel and lodging and meals.


    I know of a company that spent $100,000 on an indoor shooting room with a massive bullet trap to do contract mandated testing. All to be able to meet a contract award. Which they won in a big way, but the sales orders never attained the numbers to pay for that room.


    There are not 7,000 guns in that potential sale. Not under today's tight budgets. That's not the way government buying works.

    What is reasonable to make noise about is why does the DHS need firearms that the general public is prohibited from owning? We cannot own newly manufactured selective fire M16's or M4's. That is the first thing wrong here.

    The next thing to get pissed about is why does DHS insist on ordering guns the way the DoD specifies everything from socks to bombs to aircraft carriers? Buying this way drives up prices. They could as easily order off the shelf from Colt or Bushmaster or similar makes. Employ a couple of senior armorers to inspect and test fire each gun, accept or reject them for delivery.

    That would be vastly less expensive than this kind of buying.
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