Which conservative did Piers Morgan ban from his show?

Government

If ‘Assault Weapons’ Are Bad…Why Does DHS Want to Buy 7,000 of Them for ‘Personal Defense’?

Jan. 26, 2013 2:30pm Jason Howerton

DHS Asks for 7,000 5.56x45mm NATO Personal Defense Weapons Also Known as Assault Weapons

WASHINGTON, DC – DECEMBER 19: Homeland Security Secretary Janet Napolitano. Credit: Getty Images

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.

Sen. Dianne Feinstein, D-Calif. speaks during a news conference on Capitol Hill in Washington, Thursday, Jan. 24, 2013, to introduce legislation on assault weapons and high-capacity ammunition feeding devices. Congressional Democrats are reintroducing legislation to ban assault weapons but the measure faces long odds even after last month’s mass school shooting in Newtown, Conn. The measure being unveiled Thursday is authored by Democratic Sen. Dianne Feinstein of California, who wrote the original assault weapons ban. That law expired in 2004 when Congress refused to renew it under pressure from the National Rifle Association. Credit: AP

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.

Editor’s note — The author of this post, Jason Howerton, discussed this story with TheBlaze Editor-in-Chief Scott Baker on Monday’s BlazeCast:

In CONTROL, Glenn Beck presents a passionate, fact-based case for guns that reveals why gun control isn’t really about controlling guns at all; it’s about controlling us. Find out more HERE.

Back to The Blaze »

Comments (471)

butthedd
Posted on January 26, 2013 at 6:55pm
The big “THEY” loaded up on more than 1.5 BILLION rounds of ammo to use on American soil. Now arming themselves with full auto, conceilable weapons to defend themselves??? Against what domestic threat? Am I the threat? Someone going to riot? Is this how they “rebuild” Detoit? Are you afraid? I am… LOCK AND LOAD PEOPLE! PROSECUTE OBAMA!!!

Report this comment
Log in to Reply Reply
at_liberty
Posted on January 26, 2013 at 6:52pm
It seems that any agency that has any boots on the ground enforcement duty becomes another segment of the government’s “standing army”.

Report this comment
Log in to Reply Reply
Whatmeworry-never
Posted on January 26, 2013 at 6:52pm
So DHS can get “real” Assualt weapons and call them personal defense . Fine I say we begin to call our semi-automatics by a new name, lets call them personal defense rifles. The Left is always changing the name of something to make it sound different so can we. Guys look at my new Personal Defense Rifle in the AR15 model, hmmm so nice. Let’s change gun culture this way so then we too can side step laws. Good enough for the Government Yahoos good enough for “We the People.”

Report this comment
Log in to Reply Reply
fingerprintguy
Posted on January 26, 2013 at 6:42pm
Sounds like they are trying to institute a backdoor ban. When the Government orders large quantities of weapons or ammunition, those orders, by law, mus be filled FIRST. with that requirement, many times, production lines must shift and civillian production takes a back seat, making th backorders take even longer to fill.

That is probably why they are ordering them, and the insanely massive amounts of ammunition they order. Not to use against us by shooting us, but by preventing us from being able to obtain them.

Report this comment
Log in to Reply Reply
JTX
Posted on January 26, 2013 at 6:42pm
GUNS FOR ME BUT NOT FOR THEE

Typical *******, hypocrite, communist, reject society nonsense!

Report this comment
Log in to Reply Reply
RVing-Patriot
Posted on January 26, 2013 at 5:41pm
Here’s an idea
All arms manufacturers and dealers shall refuse to sell weaponry to law enforcement that is not approved for the GENERAL PUBLIC.

Download and share poster here: http://goo.gl/CEmYl

Report this comment
Log in to Reply Reply
TheGrtDcptn
Posted on January 26, 2013 at 5:40pm
Why…?!…because they’re ALL hypocrites…!!

Fool me once, shame on you…
Fool me twice, shame on me…

Report this comment
Log in to Reply Reply
MisterSarcastic
Posted on January 26, 2013 at 5:29pm
Notice to all military and law enforcement: If your superiors order you to turn your guns on the American people and you do so, you’ll be committing suicide. When they finish with your services you’ll be a slave just like the rest of us. So will your family.

Report this comment
Log in to Reply Reply
straitshot
Posted on January 26, 2013 at 5:28pm
It has clearly become a ‘them’ vs ‘us’ scenario where “We the People” are expected to take the back seat to the self-proclaimed ruling class. News flash: WE have the same claim to a ‘right to life’ as they do and let no one tell you different.

Report this comment
Log in to Reply Reply
mlimberg
Posted on January 26, 2013 at 5:19pm
Looks like they expect it to come to “us against them:?

Report this comment
Log in to Reply Reply
showmerancher
Posted on January 26, 2013 at 5:09pm
Oh, well, then I think I can straighten some of this mess out right now. Apparently the firearms that I have (semi-automatic) for Personal Defense are actually Assault Weapons, and the ones being ordered by Homeland security are Personal Defense (select fire, semi and full automatic) firearms. OK. I’m sure we can all agree we’ll trade, on a one-for-one basis, all of our “assault weapons” in exchange for their “personal defense” weapons. I’m sure all the gun control freaks would much rather us have what the government deems Personal Defense weapons rather than those nasty “Assault Weapons”.

That was simple.

Report this comment
Log in to Reply Reply
Metallicat
Posted on January 26, 2013 at 5:04pm
I wish arms manufacturers would refuse to honor government contracts to the US government as long as they push legislation that threatens to infringe on the citizens second amendment rights.

Report this comment
Log in to ReplyReply
- starcross1
  Posted on January 26, 2013 at 7:06pm
  they do not have to refuse——-the gov’t has, I hear, blocked the gun manufactures lines of credit, or threatening to do so, so how or why would you wish to honor a gov’t contract? —just sayin’
  
  Report this comment
lizaz
Posted on January 26, 2013 at 5:03pm
From these morons it’s “do as I say, not as I do”…..and I say…don’t listen to what they SAY, watch what they DO !!!!

Report this comment
Log in to Reply Reply
Sgt_Rock
Posted on January 26, 2013 at 5:03pm
The PDW they are talking about is an M4 based short barreled weapon, sometimes using a gas piston system instead of the impinged gas system. This allows it to have a folding as opposed to a telescoping **** stock for concealment, i.e. under a jacket etc. The feds love their toys…locals LEOs struggle to get every piece of gear they need, but the feds spend our money like its’ water.

Be wary of DHS folks, especally DHS Investigations. They are trying to expand their sphere of influence and responsibility. Big Sis is building BHO’s “national security” force…

Report this comment
Log in to ReplyReply
- DougHuffman
  Posted on January 26, 2013 at 5:13pm
  Beware of JBT Barney Fifes and “the gear they need.” There will be no peace until they are again constable neighbors and peace officers.
  
  Report this comment
- sasquatch08
  Posted on January 26, 2013 at 5:50pm
  @SGT_ROCK
  
  Of course they’re trying to expand in every conceivable way, they’ve got a union, and it needs more members!
  
  Report this comment
sasquatch08
Posted on January 26, 2013 at 4:52pm
To paraphrase the lefts talking points.

Why does ANYONE need these guns!? They’re not meant for hunting, they’re for killing large numbers of people quickly!

Good point my whiny liberal friend… why DOES DHS need weapons that, as Dems (who are in power now mind you) claim are only good for killing large numbers of people quickly? Why would a government agency need 7000 “killing machines”?

Report this comment
Log in to Reply Reply
thindime
Posted on January 26, 2013 at 4:48pm
Add in the fact that new gun regulations may exempt lawmakers and it appears the little guy is about to get hammered again.

First they take your gun, then they take your speech with 7,000 new weapons. DHS needs 7,000 more weapons to protect themselves largely from whom? US — the “we” or United States, either way you cut it.

Didn’t DHS already request 400 million rounds of 9mm hollow point ammunition? What gives here?

Report this comment
Log in to Reply Reply
YankeeWest
Posted on January 26, 2013 at 4:45pm
So what does this really mean?

A. Obama’s henchmen militia is 7,000 strong?
B.There are 7,000 very worried high level progressives?
C. DHS has 7,000 mercenaries planted in various cities around the country waiting for the expected civilian uprising?
D. The money is running out and soon all social funding will be terminated?
5. A , B, C, or D.
6. A if not B, B if not C, All of the above, None of the above.

Report this comment
Log in to ReplyReply
- Case_Logic
  Posted on January 26, 2013 at 7:16pm
  The departments that obama is arming have the right to organize and train. We citizens do not without being labeled extremist and watchdogged by the government. He will see who is loyal to his orders in the military. You don’t think there are progressives, gang-bangers etc. in the military. He has the authority to take over communication. He’s got union thugs. He is friends with Mexico who is mostly run by a either a corrupt president and/ or the drug lords. He is friends with the Muslim brother hood. He told Putin’s minion to wait till after the election so he will be more flexible. He is giving China every excuse to come get their money. He has virtually ignored Iran and N Korea.
  
  When cut off from communication try to form up an uprising with millions of armed untrained patriots now labeled criminals of the state. Going up against trained personnel with communication, superior equipment, training, planning and planted misinformation and whatever orders they deem necessary. Not to say it can’t be done but they might have a tactical advantage though not a numerical one.
  
  Report this comment
- Case_Logic
  Posted on January 26, 2013 at 7:19pm
  Do you think the wolves are in the hen house yet? Obama has got a lot of things set up already because no one really believed he would go this far with what he is doing. He’s set up options and contingencies. He just doubles or triples down on stupid and the zombies think he’s a hero. Their side has planned and plotted for a long time. I would even say that establishment republicans are going along with it in many ways by their virtual silence on most everything.
  
  I would much rather be wrong about all of this and hope I am. But I look at history and I am nervous and uneasy by what I see this government and liberal media doing. I so hope I am all wrong! I’ll have a great laugh at myself. Time will tell.
  
  Report this comment
DougHuffman
Posted on January 26, 2013 at 4:41pm
An on point cartoon – http://counterthink.com/Guns_Are_Bad.asp – my desktop image

Report this comment
Log in to ReplyReply
- rootytoottootin
  Posted on January 27, 2013 at 3:04pm
  Thanks, I subscribed to their email list.
  
  Report this comment
1wolf
Posted on January 26, 2013 at 4:40pm
They want to buy 7000 guns from the same manufacture that they want to put out of business.

I could only hope that when the she-man secretary of DHS shows up with a check from the US taxpayer, the manufacture tells she-man that it doesnt pass their background check.

And then they sell 7,000,000 guns to law abiding citizens.

Report this comment
Log in to ReplyReply
- starcross1
  Posted on January 26, 2013 at 7:12pm
  HIGH FIVE–my thoughts exactly Sir!!!
  
  Report this comment
JerseyGuy
Posted on January 26, 2013 at 4:36pm
Right on Scrounge….these “whatevers” do no wear the flag on their shoulder and have probably not taken the “oath”. I’m with you on Sandy Hook. Like I said in a previous post, there will likely be a staged event which may involve Obama declaring Martial Law. He then doesn’t need Feinstein. However, unlike the day to day breakins after Katrina, My gut tells me that Americans will respond differently. Ron Paul “called it!”

Report this comment
Log in to Reply Reply
dosdelgados
Posted on January 26, 2013 at 4:29pm
Dam-mit, Janet!

Report this comment
Log in to Reply Reply
Tom70
Posted on January 26, 2013 at 4:27pm
you don’t understand these people are the CHOSEN FEW. we are expendable, no wait we are needed to supply the money to pay for those weapons. They already have a corner on the market for buying 357mag and 44 mag ammo.

Report this comment
Log in to Reply Reply
Case_Logic
Posted on January 26, 2013 at 4:27pm
The Terrorism Center at West Point warns against Danger of American Limited-Government Activists and ‘Far Right’ groups. (Jan. 18, 2013 11:30am http://www.theblaze.com/stories/2013/01/18/terrorism-center-at-west-point-warns-against-danger-of-american-limited-government-activists-and-far-right/)

The agency (Department of Homeland Security) is tasked with keeping Americans safe from those who wish to do the country harm, and its officials are being equipped with all the tools they need to do so effectively. (From the article above Jan. 26, 2013 2:30pm http://www.theblaze.com/stories/2013/01/26/if-assault-weapons-are-bad-why-does-the-dhs-want-to-buy-7000-of-them-for-personal-defense/)

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kzT6X3_Bg9o
Obama to Top Brass: Will you fire on American Citizens?

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8fQoGMtE0EY
Tomas Schuman (Yuri Bezmenov) L.A. 1983

This on top of all the hysteria ginned up by our government and liberal media and their call for more gun rules and regulations to outright gun confiscation. Sure you may say that this somewhat over the top but then again tell that to all those millions dead because of their governments thought they knew best.

I am sure most of you are reasonable people with a good degree of common sense. Can you actually say that what the government and liberal media have been saying and the actions they have been taking makes any sense to a rational person?

Report this comment
Log in to ReplyReply
- rootytoottootin
  Posted on January 27, 2013 at 3:21pm
  That’s just it, only the logical Americans, understand & know what is going on “under our noses”!
  “They” are so obvious it’s laughable!
  
  Report this comment
starcross1
Posted on January 26, 2013 at 4:25pm
I am probably wrong but if I had 1.2B rounds of ,45 ACP JHP and was looking for something to feed them to, I don’t think it would be 7,000 M-16 PDW’s. Maybe a train load of 1911′s, but I hear they are not too fond of hollow point ammo. Right or wrong?

Report this comment
Log in to ReplyReply
- m14guy
  Posted on January 26, 2013 at 5:34pm
  They issue H&K’s.
  
  Report this comment
- m14guy
  Posted on January 26, 2013 at 5:39pm
  http://www.hk-usa.com/military_products/mil_newsroom_08242004.asp
  
  If I remember correctly that mountain of ammo they bought was .40 S&W JHP….”for practice”…right.
  
  Report this comment
- DefyTYRANNY
  Posted on January 26, 2013 at 8:58pm
  I’m sure they have an order in for 1.5 billion rounds of M855. Nah, at the rate of fire those PDW’s run, they probably upped it to an even 5 billion or some such number.
  
  Report this comment
Daddy Hawg
Posted on January 26, 2013 at 4:25pm
the firearms requested by the DHS are listed in the BATF as “Assault Rifles” suitable for military and law enforcement only. To own a firearm such as this the average citizen would need and extensive background check and $200 tax stamp from the IRS. Funny how they are “Personal Defense Weapons” when the situation fits and not “Assault Rifles” as listen in the National Firearms Act of 1968.

Report this comment
Log in to Reply Reply

It appears that you have Javascript Disabled. Please enable Javascript in your browser preferences for a better user experience on TheBlaze. You can not comment without Javascript enabled.