Why is DHS and other Federal Agencies Buying so much ammo?

[Taggure]

With the current shortage of ammo You would have to ask why arethe Federal Agencies such as the Social Security office, DHS, National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA), and other domestic agencies buying up MILLIONS and BILLIONS of hollow point .40 S&W and .308 rounds. Well I started looking around and found that I was not the only one trying to understand this. Okay so everyone put your:tinfoil: on as the speculation may be closer to the truth then we think.

Do I know the truth? Nope I sure don't, but I can plainly see that things do not make sense and in this case it makes me worried for this great country of ours.

I have posted some links that I found interesting for you to look at, and I would love to hear if you all are as worried about some of the different speculation that is going on as I am. I will start it off with a quote from the Defensive Carry forum.

http://www.infowars.com/dhs-purchases-2 ... mmunition/

http://www.defensivecarry.com/forum/law ... uy-up.html

http://www.americanthinker.com/blog/201 ... ition.html

http://www.washingtonsblog.com/2012/08/ ... rican.html

http://www.catholic.org/politics/story.php?id=49649

The majority of the ammunition sought by the DHS in this latest bid is small arms ammo, intended for use in pistols. However, purchases made last year included astounding amounts of ammunition for long rifles, including .308, 168 grain, hollow point, sniper-grade ammunition. This ammunition is typically preferred for use by law-enforcement snipers.

Bullets have one purpose, which is to destroy, and an army's entire purpose is coercion. Homeland security does not hunt animals, nor do they invade other countries. Another possible conclusion is that the bullets are intended to coerce and if need be, kill us.

Or is it because of things like this:

http://sayanythingblog.com/entry/why-is ... much-ammo/

A lot of conspiracy theories are being touted in response to this seemingly excessive stockpiling, most having to do with the government declaring martial law, etc., etc.
But I think the explanation is much simpler. I think the Obama administration is just running up the price of ammo. These massive government buys are taking place amid, may very well be causing, a national ammo shortage. I think the goal of anti-gun activists, up to and including President Obama, is to make gun purchases, ownership and use harder in every way they can.
Buying up all the ammo is just part of the strategy.

What do you think?

[Taggure]

I am suprised that no one is latching on here. Why the heck does the Social Security Administration or NOAA need Hollow Point Ammo?

[SpanishInquisition]

To defend themselves from attacking hoardes senior citizens or hurricanes, of course!

It stinks of someting.

[GeneFrenkle]

Some Agencies have law enforcement arms like the IRS has TIGTA.

[ Post made via Mobile Device ]

[mamabearCali]

I dunno. It could be nefarious or it could be pure and simple waste. Or it could be an attempt to drive the price up for the rest of us to unreasonable limits. Don't know.

[Taggure]

Some Agencies have law enforcement arms like the IRS has TIGTA.

[ Post made via Mobile Device ]

Not Social Security Admin or NOAA

Myself I think that they are doing it to make a shortage, but that is just my .02 worth. If you think about it though it just reall does not make any sense.

[GeneFrenkle]

If the purchases were merely to put pressure on the supply chain, why would NOAA, SSA purchase so few rounds?

http://www.snopes.com/politics/guns/ssabullets.asp

Also, has anyone looked to see what purchases have been made in the past and how it compares to the most recent ones?

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[Purdune]

Myself I think that they are doing it to make a shortage, but that is just my .02 worth. If you think about it though it just reall does not make any sense.

That would also explain the several thousand purchase of Ar-15's recently. I've also heard the "billions" is really a GSA type contract over at least 5 years. In other words it's locking in a price and a high ceiling on the quantity they may buy over the next 5 to 10 years. So they haven't spent the money for the rounds, just locked in the deal.

Still if it isn't to beef up for civil unrest or nazi's from the Moon, then it's a moronic waste of time and money.

[VACoastie]

http://www.foxnews.mobi/quickPage.html? ... 7_pageNum_

[ Post made via Mobile Device ]

[Taggure]

If the purchases were merely to put pressure on the supply chain, why would NOAA, SSA purchase so few rounds?

http://www.snopes.com/politics/guns/ssabullets.asp

Also, has anyone looked to see what purchases have been made in the past and how it compares to the most recent ones?

[ Post made via Mobile Device ]

I put no faith what so ever in anything that snopes says at all.

[GeneFrenkle]

If the purchases were merely to put pressure on the supply chain, why would NOAA, SSA purchase so few rounds?

http://www.snopes.com/politics/guns/ssabullets.asp

Also, has anyone looked to see what purchases have been made in the past and how it compares to the most recent ones?

[ Post made via Mobile Device ]

I put no faith what so ever in anything that snopes says at all.

LOL I understand that. It's hardly authoritative. I was attempting to point out that RFPs/Purchases for thousands of rounds by on agency isn't a significant volume, even if off by an order of magnitude. Also, the secondary point was looking at the agency's history of purchase and determining if it's deviated significantly. I'm suggesting it's change per unit time that's important, not just the snapshot volume.

[dorminWS]

From the Fox News coverage:
"The government's explanation is much less sinister.

Federal solicitations to buy the bullets are known as "strategic sourcing contracts," which help the government get a low price for a big purchase, says Peggy Dixon, spokeswoman for the Federal Law Enforcement Training Center in Glynco, Ga ."
...........................................................

Yeah, right............... The feds are buying a ridiculously large quantity of ammo in a market where scarcity has already driven the price sky high and at a time when they are broke and facing sequestration requiring laying off teachers and air traffic controllers; and they are doing this because it is a really smart buying practice...?!?!?
- - - - - - - - - - - -
Personally, I think the "they're getting ready for an alien invasion" theory is slightly more believeable than the "we're really smart purchasers" one.

[Mindflayer]

I wonder if it is an Administration move to keep ammo out of the hands of civilians. Think about it - the ammo goes to military, government, LEO, then civilians.

[dorminWS]

I wonder if it is an Administration move to keep ammo out of the hands of civilians. Think about it - the ammo goes to military, government, LEO, then civilians.

>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>

I think it is certainly possible. One of the first things that occurred to me.

[Purdune]

Hold on a minute. I think some are missing a valuable piece of information. Could also be that I've got it wrong. It's my understanding these are "lock in deals". We can buy X ammo at Y cost. Has nothing to do with real orders. Just what the rate is and how much they can buy.

[dorminWS]

Hold on a minute. I think some are missing a valuable piece of information. Could also be that I've got it wrong. It's my understanding these are "lock in deals". We can buy X ammo at Y cost. Has nothing to do with real orders. Just what the rate is and how much they can buy.

>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>

Yes, but it STILL screws up the supply chain worse than polio. If you undertake to deliver a gazillion rounds to DHS IF they order it, you must stay in a position to actually deliver it, right? Still screws up supply. May also screw up price, too. Assume there is a financial penalty for late delivery (and I'll bet there is). I might take the HUGE potential order and then up my privce at least enough to cover the penalty IF I had to pay it. Thern if I didn't, I'd have an even bigger windfall. Then again, maybe they're just holding back part of their production to see if there ill be an order; knowing they can dump it into the vastly backordered market and get it sold quick any time the need to. In the meantime making up for reduced sales volume with increased price.

[VACoastie]

Do yall remwmber the first time yall put on your tinfoil hats about this situation? Reminder: Pre-Newtown. AKA Pre ridiculously high priced ammo.

Yall are just bringing back an old subject that's being brought back to life because of the medias coverage of guns in general. The Guv'mint was buying this stuff when the ammo WAS at a lower price. They probably knew about sequestation but didn't see it at the light it is now. You know, Gov't and their love of the 11th hour BS...

Plus, it's nothing new for the gov't to make purchase orders loke this. Any of you who have worked for the feds already know this...

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[dorminWS]

All the same... the BEST face you can put on it is that they are screwing up the supply chain by accident.

[VACoastie]

Oh no doubt! Honestly, and I've really thought this, I don't know why the gov't doesn't reload their rounds. It doesn't affect performance of the round and it could improve it to their own specs. But yes, they're fudging the ammo supply for everyone. Ha! 'Nother no big surprise from them.

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[Palladin]

Does y'alls ammo come through DHS, Coastie?

Maybe it's you shootin up all dat fawty!