According to one estimate, since last year the Department of Homeland Security has stockpiled more than 1.6 billion bullets, mainly .40 caliber and 9mm. DHS also reportedly purchased 2,700 Mine Resistant Armor Protected Vehicles (MRAPs) to go with their bullet stockpile.
ATK is one company that won a contract with the Department of Homeland Security to provide 450 million rounds of .40 caliber ammunition in 2012.
But, it’s not enough.
DHS is soliciting again for another 90,000 rounds of ammunition in various calibers.
Freedom Outpost reported, via Free Republic:
Ammunition is in short supply. The demand has increased dramatically which takes its toll on the market. However, the Department of Homeland Security doesn’t seem to be affected by the demand at all. In fact, it’s got over $37 million of tax payer money to spend on brass and lead for fiscal year 2013 and it’s soliciting again for nearly 90,000 round in various calibers. This is in addition to their own claims of having more than 260 million rounds of ammunition back in November 2012.
According to the solicitation (HSFLAR-13-Q-00019), DHS is ordering ammunition in .45 long Colts, .45 ACP, .22LR, 30-30, 12 gauge shotgun shells, 410 gauge shotgun shells, .357, and 7.69x39mm. That’s quite a spread for DHS.
Granted, the number of ammunition is down considerably on this order, but it is going out to Artesia, New Mexico, the same as the last order of 360,000 .40 caliber hollow points. The previous month that particular training center got 240,000 hollow points.
I previously took DHS’ own claims about inventory comparing them with their previous three fiscal year’s purchases and concluded that they are carrying over ammunition from year to year, though they claim they are not maintaining ammunition. All I can say is that the numbers don’t add up to their claims.