Department of Homeland Security Now Stocking Up On Anti-Zombie Bullets

DHS Buying 141 Thousand Rounds Of Ammunition

by Rob Uhls

“Beat Em Or Burn ‘Em, Either Way They Go Up Pretty Good.” -Night of the Living Dead

The Department of Homeland Security (DHS) is one of the most sizable additions to the Federal government in the last 50 years. The DHS ranks as the third largest department behind the Department of Defense and Veteran Affairs. It was convened by President George W. Bush after the September 11 attacks in an effort to fight terrorism in the “homeland” – a term mainly coined around this time. In the last 5 years, the DHS has made some purchases that have left many Americans questioning the intentions of the department, itself.

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The most recent solicitation is a purchase order for 141,160 rounds (7058 boxes) of Hornady .308 Winchester 168 grain A-MAX TAP ammunition. These specific bullets are hollow point sniper rounds often advertised as “Zombie Max” alluding to the rounds power.

The DHS is procuring top notch ammunition at a top notch price as well. Each of these rounds costs $1.20 and when questioned by the public about the expenditure, the DHS’ rebuttal was that they are saving money by buying in bulk. With that in mind, the DHS could purchase a 146 grain round that almost cuts the price in half at approximately $.69 a round.

The DHS has made a multitude of “bulk” investments that has helped to render a shortage in the private sector alongside other factors. In 2012, DHS acquired 103 million rounds and used 116 million rounds. The department has around 70,000 public employees – that amounts to about 1300-1600 rounds per employee. Upon comparison with the United States Army, the Army consumes about 350 rounds per soldier. Given the fact that the state of the homeland has been fairly tranquil, why is the DHS using more ammunition than those fighting abroad?


The DHS’ purchases have not been limited to ammunition. In March of 2013, the DHS purchased 2717 Mine Resistant Armored Protected Vehicles (MRAPs). These colossal vehicles are specifically fitted with openings for personnel to fire from inside the vehicle. The most unnerving acquisition made by the DHS is $2 million worth of unconventional, “no more hesitation” targets from Law Enforcement Targets Inc. These targets display non traditional combatants such as the elderly, children and pregnant women, and are intended to desensitize law enforcement to a variety of possible combatants.

The United States has military bases in over 150 countries around the world with over 150,000 servicemen serving abroad. Is the military spread so thin abroad that another federal department is required to keep citizens safer here in the homeland?

Robert Uhls was born and raised in Franklin, Kentucky and studied at Western Kentucky University with majors in Psychology and History. He has a unyielding interest in politics and debate. Roberts deep rooted passion for civil liberties and autonomy guide his opinion. Having been inspired by the founding fathers and the constitution he maintains a strong pursuit of liberty for all.

 

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