Why Does the USDA Need Submachine Guns?

An article over at Cheaper Than Dirt! along with an Oklahoma congressman have asked a question we at Law Shield continue to ponder: Why is the USDA soliciting the “commerical [sic] acquisition of submachine guns, .40 Cal. S&W?”

That’s what the Department of Agriculture asked for in a May 7 solicitation on FedBizOpps.gov. The website is described as “the single government point-of-entry (GPE) for Federal government procurement opportunities over $25,000. Government buyers are able to publicize their business opportunities by posting information directly to FedBizOpps via the Internet.”

The Dept. of Agriculture specified the guns needing an “ambidextrous safety, semi-automatic or 2 shot burts [sic] trigger group, Tritium night sights for front and rear, rails for attachment of flashlight (front under fore grip) and scope (top rear).”

Other specifications include: the stock should be “collapsible or folding,” the magazines should be “30 rd. capacity,” should have fittings for a sling, be light weight, and have an “oversized trigger guard for gloved operation.”

USDA responded by saying there are more than 100 agents employed by the law-enforcement division of the department’s Office of the Inspector General who carry such weapons because they are involved in the investigation of criminal activities, including fraud, theft of government property, bribery, extortion, smuggling and assaults on employees.

We understand the IG offices have law-enforcement functions and IG agents can be or are armed, but 40-caliber submachine guns seem a little over the top to us.

What do you think?

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