In response to how the ammunition will be used by DHS, the various component agencies answered specific to their usage:
- • CBP (Customs & Border Protection) said that "70 percent of CBP ammunition is used for quarterly qualifications."
- • ICE (Immigration and Customs Enforcement) says it "allocates 1,000 rounds of ammunition per firearm per year for quarterly qualifications and training."
- • TSA (Transportation Security Administration) says "35 percent of TSA ammunition is allocated for operational use (qualifications and duty carry)."
I think DHS is playing fast and loose with the truth. Here's why:
In my many years in the military, 6 of which was enlisted, I either had to qualify with my weapon or watched in various units as those soldiers had to qualify.
Qualifications generally were annual, but there were times when we were at the range one additional time. Except in basic training, those events required a total of 25 or so practice rounds and about 25 rounds for record. That's a total of 50 rounds. If we grant 2 qualifications a year, that's 100 rounds a year per active duty soldier.
Those in an infantry unit would fire more, but surprisingly, not that much more. Live rounds are generally used only on rifle qualification ranges even for the infantry. Live fire exercises are rare and few rounds are issued and expended.
Also, don't forget that simulator rifles also are available in our day, and they fire simulator rounds.
So, in a 550,000 man Army, the army will expend in the neighborhood of 55 million small arms rounds this year. Making allowances for war and infantry, let's up that to 65 million this year.
They expect me to believe that an agency of 200,000 with at most 100000 shooters, is going to use up their inventory of 260 million + a purchase of 110 million?
That's 3600 rounds this year per shooter???
And our Army will use in the neighborhood of 100 rounds per shooter?
I spoke to a Navy buddy, and he said their qualification each year was 10 rounds with a .45 into the ocean off the deck of a ship.
That ought to keep us in line.