What's up with all these purchases?

[betsy]

There's been some buzzings going on about these purchase. What do you guys think? Just plain conspiracy theories? Or something to really start wondering about?

][/b]

Social Security's Bullet Purchase Prompts Conspiracy Theories, Raises Eyebrows

By STEPHEN OHLEMACHER 09/04/12 01:35 PM ET

WASHINGTON -- It didn't take long for the Internet to start buzzing with conspiracy theories after the Social Security Administration posted a notice that it was purchasing 174,000 hollow-point bullets.

Why is the agency that provides benefits to retirees, disabled workers, widows and children stockpiling ammunition? Whom are they going to use it on?

"It's not outlandish to suggest that the Social Security Administration is purchasing the bullets as part of preparations for civil unrest," the website Infowars.com said.

The bullets are for Social Security's office of inspector general, which has about 295 agents who investigate Social Security fraud and other crimes, said Jonathan L. Lasher, the agency's assistant IG for external relations.

The agents carry guns and make arrests – 589 last year, Lasher said. They execute search warrants and respond to threats against Social Security offices, employees and customers.

Some bloggers have taken issue with the type of ammunition the agency is buying, questioning why agents need hollow-point bullets. Hollow-points are known for causing more tissue damage than other bullets when they hit a person because they expand when they enter the body.

http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2012/09/04/social-security-bullet-purchase_n_1854121.html

September 20, 2012

Why does Homeland Security need 1.4 billion rounds of ammunition?

Why is everyone all up in arms about the recent purchase by Homeland security of 1.4 Billion rounds of ammunition?

Our undeclared Foreign War in Iraq Consumes about 70,000,000 (70 Million) Rounds of Ammunition Each Year, which would take about 20 years to consume 1.4 billion rounds of ammunition ordered by the Department of Homeland Security alone, not including all the ammunition ordered by the weather service, Social Security, etc! 20 Years To Use All 1.4 Billion Rounds Of This Ammo?

Is the Department of Homeland security to protect us from foreign terrorists, or to protect the central government from the American people?

Read the entire chilling article. Avoid any political discussions about Obama's infamous 2008 quote, lest your blood pressure dangerously rise.

"We cannot continue to rely on our military in order to achieve the national security objectives that we've set. We've got to have a civilian national security force that's just as powerful, just as strong, just as well-funded."

Read more:

http://www.americanthinker.com/blog/2012/09/why_does_homeland_security_need_14_billion_rounds_of_ammunition.html#ixzz2FXhxWp3x

[The_Squid]

More conspiracy nonsense.

Love this quote from your post: "We cannot continue to rely on our military in order to achieve the national security objectives that we've set. We've got to have a civilian national security force that's just as powerful, just as strong, just as well-funded."

This person is a nut.

[Guest Derek L]

Agents carry .357 caliber pistols, Lasher said. The bullets, which add up to about 590 per agent, are for the upcoming fiscal year. Most will be expended on the firing range.

Some bloggers have taken issue with the type of ammunition the agency is buying, questioning why agents need hollow-point bullets. Hollow-points are known for causing more tissue damage than other bullets when they hit a person because they expand when they enter the body.

Got tin-foil? All Western Police forces use hollow points, as opposed to full metal jacketed rounds (like militaries), since an expanding hollow point will drop a person near instantly as opposed to FMJ likely going through the person, and potentially injuring someone else and/or allowing the target to “return fire” on the officer.

As for 590 rounds per agent, that seems rather small and I’d be very surprised if they don’t make or have made, a purchase of .357 wadcutters for practice……….590 translates into about 3 magazines a month, or about three minutes of firearms training……….

[DogOnPorch]

Got tin-foil? All Western Police forces use hollow points, as opposed to full metal jacketed rounds (like militaries), since an expanding hollow point will drop a person near instantly as opposed to FMJ likely going through the person, and potentially injuring someone else and/or allowing the target to “return fire” on the officer.

As for 590 rounds per agent, that seems rather small and I’d be very surprised if they don’t make or have made, a purchase of .357 wadcutters for practice……….590 translates into about 3 magazines a month, or about three minutes of firearms training……….

Heck...let's not let her see the bill for taking an old Thompson to the range.

Listen to the guys at the end...

"Do it again, Dan!!!"

"I can't afford it!"

Hmmmmm....50 round drum...45 cal tracer rounds....$$$$$$$

You'd have a better idea....

[Guest Derek L]

Heck...let's not let her see the bill for taking an old Thompson to the range.

Listen to the guys at the end...

Hmmmmm....50 round drum...45 cal tracer rounds....$$$$$$$

You'd have a better idea....

.357 Sig Is very expensive, and to tell you the truth, I don’t know why the US Federal Government (USSS and the Federal Air Marshalls) uses it, as opposed to say .40 S&W used by the FBI………The ballistics are right in between .40 S&W and .45 ACP, but I don’t see that much gain for the reduced magazine capacities……..The only North American maker of the ammo was Federal, so I’d guess it’s government largess to some Congressional district (And BC’s retirement) ………..

I bought (on impulse) and promptly sold a Glock G31 because of the higher price and availability issues with the .357 Sig Cartridge……….

As to .45 ACP, you bet it’s expensive, about 50 cents a shot for FMJ and just over a buck per Jacketed Hollow point……….

[DogOnPorch]

.357 Sig Is very expensive, and to tell you the truth, I don’t know why the US Federal Government (USSS and the Federal Air Marshalls) uses it, as opposed to say .40 S&W used by the FBI………The ballistics are right in between .40 S&W and .45 ACP, but I don’t see that much gain for the reduced magazine capacities……..The only North American maker of the ammo was Federal, so I’d guess it’s government largess to some Congressional district (And BC’s retirement) ………..

I bought (on impulse) and promptly sold a Glock G31 because of the higher price and availability issues with the .357 Sig Cartridge……….

As to .45 ACP, you bet it’s expensive, about 50 cents a shot for FMJ and just over a buck per Jacketed Hollow point……….

Even reloads add up with the bigger rounds...assuming they can be reloaded. But, it sure can help make shooting the 9mm, etc affordable. Some folks hate picking-up brass, though.

The classic method.

[bush_cheney2004]

...As to .45 ACP, you bet it’s expensive, about 50 cents a shot for FMJ and just over a buck per Jacketed Hollow point……….

Yep....very pricey. A lot of non-gun "nuts" don't realize how much the economics of ammo plays into the choice of caliber.

[bush_cheney2004]

Even reloads add up with the bigger rounds...assuming they can be reloaded. But, it sure can help make shooting the 9mm, etc affordable. Some folks hate picking-up brass, though.

"Policing" brass on the firing range is just second nature to me. At a military range, it helps to maintain discipline and pace exercises for the range safety officer, especially with recruits who have never locked and loaded.

[DogOnPorch]

"Policing" brass on the firing range is just second nature to me. At a military range, it helps to maintain discipline and pace exercises for the range safety officer, especially with recruits who have never locked and loaded.

I hear some ranges like to lay claim to all spent brass. They have to catch you, though, I guess. No such problems around here...

[bush_cheney2004]

I hear some ranges like to lay claim to all spent brass. They have to catch you, though, I guess. No such problems around here...

Yes..at most indoor ranges there is a position table barrier down range, so any brass that doesn't fall on your side you can't get to anyway. I only shoot for proficiency nowadays, so the price per box isn't really a factor. Plus I like the cute plastic boxes that higher quality rounds are packaged in compared to reloads in cardboard.

[Guest Derek L]

Even reloads add up with the bigger rounds...assuming they can be reloaded. But, it sure can help make shooting the 9mm, etc affordable. Some folks hate picking-up brass, though.

The classic method.

Reloading is one of those things I’ve been seriously contemplating doing for pistol ammo and 5.56 & 7.62 due to cost, but in all honesty, I wouldn’t attempt until taking a workshop on it………..With the run on ammo right now, and after just making a purchase of 9mm/5.56/7.62 in the tune of a couple of grand, something I’m seriously considering…………..

As to spent brass, I’ve been picking through and saving the pistol calibers for some time (Well my son & nephew have ) and in the last couple of months, the 5.56/.223 Rem, 7.62/.308 Win and .338 Lapua for that intended purpose…….

[Guest Derek L]

I hear some ranges like to lay claim to all spent brass. They have to catch you, though, I guess. No such problems around here...

Some do for non members, the club I belong to uses it to pay for maintaining the place……..they can have all the .22lr and 7.62x39 they want………..We’ve signed a lease with the Federal Prisons and some of the lower mainland/Fraser Valley RCMP detachments giving them free reign of the place a couple of times a week, as such, the club is flush……

[DogOnPorch]

Reloading is one of those things I’ve been seriously contemplating doing for pistol ammo and 5.56 & 7.62 due to cost, but in all honesty, I wouldn’t attempt until taking a workshop on it………..With the run on ammo right now, and after just making a purchase of 9mm/5.56/7.62 in the tune of a couple of grand, something I’m seriously considering…………..

As to spent brass, I’ve been picking through and saving the pistol calibers for some time (Well my son & nephew have ) and in the last couple of months, the 5.56/.223 Rem, 7.62/.308 Win and .338 Lapua for that intended purpose…….

My buddy has a press and is quite good at it. I sometimes assist. All brass isn't created equal...that's for sure. Some can take repeated reloadings...others crack or flare too much.

[bush_cheney2004]

My buddy has a press and is quite good at it. I sometimes assist. All brass isn't created equal...that's for sure. Some can take repeated reloadings...others crack or flare too much.

Yep...if you're going to reload then high quality components are required, including a scale. It's like making dope !

My uncle in North Hollywood uses a "progressive" loading press that he feeds by hand...one pull...one bullet. Like this one:

Edited December 20, 2012 by bush_cheney2004

[DogOnPorch]

Overloading isn't recommended.

(snicker)

My same friend carries a .44 magnum with 12 inch barrel for bear while rock climbing. The rounds are all over-grain. That beech hurts.

[bush_cheney2004]

Overloading isn't recommended.

Rookies do this, only to learn later it is best to back off the hot loads. Grain load variation really sucks, which is why I prefer consistent, factory loads. Now some applications like sports competitions, demonstrations, etc. require a hotter load, but it is not good for common activities or the firearms themselves. .

[Guest Derek L]

Overloading isn't recommended.

(snicker)

My same friend carries a .44 magnum with 12 inch barrel for bear while rock climbing. The rounds are all over-grain. That beech hurts.

Mares leg?

[DogOnPorch]

Mares leg?

Neg. A revolver. Make my day... Taurus?

Edited December 20, 2012 by DogOnPorch

[bush_cheney2004]

Neg. A revolver. Make my day...

Yea...it's always the .44 magnums with hot loads. You can see the flash beyond the firing range position separator.

Remember this ?

Edited December 20, 2012 by bush_cheney2004

[Guest Derek L]

Neg. A revolver. Make my day... Taurus?

Then I hope his climbing doesn't take place in Canada.......Hand guns are a no-no in the bush........barring it's an antique, which I doubt since 44. Rem Mag only came about in the early 50s

Perhaps a very old .455 Webley?

[DogOnPorch]

Then I hope his climbing doesn't take place in Canada.......Hand guns are a no-no in the bush........barring it's an antique, which I doubt since 44. Rem Mag only came about in the early 50s

Perhaps a very old .455 Webley?

He has a special permit to carry this particular weapon. He had to drag himself through court to get it too.

[betsy]

Don't know anything about guns....

[Guest Derek L]

He has a special permit to carry this particular weapon. He had to drag himself through court to get it too.

The ATC, up there with unicorns and winning the lottery........

[Guest Derek L]

Don't know anything about guns....

You can always learn:

http://www.mapleleafweb.com/forums//index.php?showtopic=20728&st=0

Any questions, "fire away"

[DogOnPorch]

The ATC, up there with unicorns and winning the lottery........

That's the one. Ironically, carrying it contributed to him taking a fall of several meters as it was strapped to his chest and got caught-up in the ropes. Oh well....