Who are these guys going to war with?

[oktec60]

450 Millions rounds of .40 Caliber Ammunition for the Department of Homeland Security and U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement...

http://www.marketwatch.com/story/atk...k=MW_news_stmp

[elmbow]

Went to the airshow today. There were DHS "police" in their black outfits, and low slung 40's in their kydex holsters walking around.

And their mission was what?

[oktec60]

I don't know what their mission is, but it seems to me they really seem to be expanding the size of their organization and its authority. It boggles my mind to see any reason they could possibly have for needing nearly a half of a billion rounds of pistol ammo on a short term contract.

[modustollens]

The taxpayer?

[Ralph]

It's a 5 year contract not really short-term and the volume is *up to* 450 million rounds. 10,000 people shooting 50 rds/week is a half-million rounds per week. I don't know how many folks they have under arms and whether 50 rds/week is considered enough to maintain proficiency so those numbers are probably off considerably.

[oktec60]

... 10,000 people shooting 50 rds/week is a half-million rounds per week....

So they would be able to punch paper for 900 weeks. The article also says that this is the "incumbent" supplier which means they are getting a continual supply of ammo now, so this isn't just a 'one off' procurement. Just for a quick comparison I just did a google search and found this in a GAO document about military ammo needs:

Table 2: Small Caliber Requirements, Fiscal Years 2000 to 2005
In millions of rounds
Type FY 2000 FY 2001 FY 2002 FY 2003 FY 2004 FY 2005
5.56mm..626.2....575.6.....689.......929......1,18 1....1,353
7.62mm..47.2.....50.7.......92.2......136.3....313 .......282
9mm......39.6.....133.7.....104.2.....146.4....75. .......81
Total.....733.4....775.7.....908.......1,253.5..1, 636....1,790

http://www.gao.gov/new.items/d05687.pdf

[Ralph]

I think you read too much into the story, but if it excites you then enjoy yourself.

P.S. I am NOT an advocate for HS or any of the other agencies that seem to think they need their own SWAT team (the USDA, for instance).

[Jim N]

If these guys are anything like our local LE, they need the practice

[David in OR]

Jim, you are being a very bad man today.

There was this Republican, name of Eisenhower, I think he was in some war, who was nattering on about a "military-industrial complex"...

[Jim N]

David,

It's because I missed the match today. Made me pissy!