Federal agencies have made the news lately with their huge purchases of ammunition. The Department of Homeland Security (DHS) recently purchased 450 million rounds of .40-caliber hollow point bullets and is also planning to purchase 750 million rounds of different types of ammo in a separate solicitation
The DHS also put out an order for riot gear in preparation for the upcoming Democratic National Convention (DNC), Republican National Convention (RNC) and presidential inauguration. The U.S. Army is also busy buying similar equipment.
Even as the DHS purchases enough ammo to shoot every American four times over, other federal agencies are also purchasing ammo.
The Social Security Administration is purchasing 174,000 rounds of jacketed hollow point pistol ammunition. They say their agents need firearms and ammo in the course of training, investigations and responding to threats against offices and employees. 
The National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA), placed an order for 46,000 rounds of ammo for the NOAA Fisheries Office of Law Enforcement.
Interestingly, hollow point bullets have been illegal in international warfare since 1899 because of the damage they do to a person. But hollow-point bullets are one of the most common types of civilian and police ammunition, due largely to the reduced risk of bystanders being hit by over-penetrating or ricocheted bullets, and the increased speed of incapacitation. 
Note that “increased speed of incapacitation” means the bullets blow a big hole in you, which is why they are banned for the military.
The interesting question is why does the Department of Homeland Security think they need riot gear for the Democrat and Republican National Conventions and the Presidential inauguration?  And why do they need 1.2 billion bullets?

Printed in the August 23, 2012 edition