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Wednesday, September 05, 2012

Social Security buying 174,000 .357 hollow-point rounds. Some wonder why.

Bad boys,bad boys whatcha gonna do whatcha gonna do?
When they come for you?Bad boys bad boys whatcha gonna do?
Whatcha gonna do whatcha gonna do when they come for you?

AP feed is carried on multiple webpages, e.g., WaPo and HuffPo. Never mind, Huffpo shows an image of copper clad hunting rounds ...

The clamor became such a distraction for the agency that it dedicated a website to explaining the purchase. The explanation, it turns out, isn’t as tantalizing as an arms buildup to defend against unruly senior citizens.

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.

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.

Or so they say. I think they are stockpiling in case the Paul Ryan budget wants are ever enacted. There may then be an old folks uprising, and you want those hollow-point rounds to drop them in their tracks while minimizing bystander risk to younger folks, being taught a lesson.

Coincidentally, no reporting indicates vendor choice and how much federal tax money is being blown for Social Security agent gun love. NRA is happy with it. So why ask questions?

Coincidentally, with the reported numbers, you have 295 bullets per arrest per year. They must plan on coming in blazing away, at two arrests per agent per year, 590 rounds per agent. Hollow point.

Careful, Rocco. Don't hit the oxygen tank.
Go for a head shot like on the training range.

(If interested, Marley, here.)