Posted on 01/27/2013 6:57:16 PM PST by forty_years
The Department of Homeland Security is seeking to acquire 7,000 5.56x45mm NATO “personal defense weapons” (PDW) — also known as “assault weapons” when owned by civilians. The solicitation, originally posted on June 7, 2012, comes to light as the Obama administration is calling for a ban on semi-automatic rifles and high capacity magazines.
Citing a General Service Administration (GSA) request for proposal (RFP), Steve McGough of RadioViceOnline.com reports that DHS is asking for the 7,000 “select-fire” firearms because they are “suitable for personal defense use in close quarters.” The term select-fire means the weapon can be both semi-automatic and automatic. Civilians are prohibited from obtaining these kinds of weapons.
The RFP describes the firearm as “Personal Defense Weapon (PDW) – 5.56x45mm NATO, select-fire firearm suitable for personal defense use in close quarters and/or when maximum concealment is required.” Additionally, DHS is asking for 30 round magazines that “have a capacity to hold thirty (30) 5.56x45mm NATO rounds.”
Republican New York state Sen. Greg Ball also issued a press release this week bringing attention to the weapons purchase request.
Calls made to DHS seeking information regarding whether or not the RFP was accepted and fulfilled were not immediately returned on Saturday.
Sen. Diane Feinstein (D-Calif.) on Thursday introduced legislation that would enact a so-called “assault weapons” ban. The bill would ban more than 150 firearms and limit magazines to 10 rounds. There is no expiration date on Feinstein’s bill.
Get all the details on the bill, including a list of firearms that would be banned, here.
Critics of such a ban on semi-automatic rifles are already arguing that the government is showing its hypocrisy by essentially saying they are good “personal defense” for them, but not for American citizens. When civilians own semi-automatic rifles, they somehow become “assault weapons.”
That being said, it is reasonable for the Department of Homeland Security to request these rifles as they are indeed effective personal defense weapons. The agency is tasked with keeping Americans safe from those who wish to do the country harm, and its officials should be equipped with all the tools they need to do so effectively.
But what about Americans who want to keep themselves and their families safe from threats? Is a semi-automatic rifle unacceptable for a civilian’s “personal defense” in his or her home? According to some Democratic lawmakers, like Sen. Feinstein, it appears the answer is yes.
Just last week two students in Rochester, N.Y. scared off a pair of home intruders by simply brandishing an AR-15 semi-automatic rifle. One of the students said he believes the weapon saved their lives.
FReepers, this is what just went to my Congressional reps:
I am reading on Fox News that Department of Homeland Security is ordering 7000 MACHINE GUNS for use against the American people. A MACHINE GUN is defined as a weapon capable of fully automatic fire. And Obama wants to keep semi-automatic weapons out of the hands of the American people? This arming of the government for use against American citizens is exactly why the Founders crafted the Second Amendment, and I encourage you to defund this request from Homeland Security and resist any attempt by the Obama Administration to erode our God-given, not government given right to defend ourselves against tyranny.
this is what just went to my Congressional reps
Good for you. The only way to stop this anti-gun foolishness is to bombard our elected reps with emails, letters, faxes, and phone calls.
I've set up a page that provides all the info, like TRUTH about "assault" weapons, finding your reps' contact info, and links to contact them here.
You can also find contact information for all your elected representatives by clicking on these links:
Easier than that: Write your congress critters and say the following:
"In order to create more manufacturing jobs and show the support for the 2nd Amendment, I urge you to insert a repeal of 18 USC 922(o) as either a stand alone law, or an amendment to any future legislation". Thank you!
Bumped
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