Department of Agriculture Requests Firearms (Submachine Guns)
By Amanda Brodhagen, Farms.com
An unusual request has been made by the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) for 40 submachine guns. But it’s unknown why the USDA would need guns and for what purpose.
The solicitation was posted on the government’s Federal Business Opportunities website earlier this month (May 7). See part of the notice below:
“The U.S. Department of Agriculture, Office of Inspector General, located in Washington, DC, pursuant to the authority of FAR Part 13, has a requirement for the commerical [sic] acquisition of submachine guns, .40 Cal. S&W, 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), stock-collapsilbe [sic] or folding, magazine - 30 rd. capacity, sling, light weight, and oversized trigger guard for gloved operation.”
Not surprisingly, the request has raised a few eyebrows, and garnered the attention of conservative, pro-gun, websites. One thought is that the weapons might be for the United States Forest Service’s enforcement division, which the USDA oversees. But again, what’s concerning is that’s just a guess, no one actually knows what the guns might be used for.
This is a developing story.