Posted by RyanMcAlister on 03/12/10

The Department of Education uses individual's tax money to purchase weapons that are illegal for those same individuals to possess.

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The same Department that delivered No Child Left Behind has recently announced its intention to purchase twenty- seven Remington 870 police shotguns.

In the below post from the FedBizzOps website, it is shown that the intended order is for twenty- seven brand new Remington shotguns, and the Government will award a commercial item purchase order to the bid with the most advantageous offer. 

The Remington 870 is available with a police "entry" feature, which consists of a 14 inch barrel.  Other versions feature a "modular combat" option.   Another, the 870 MCS, is described as a "breaching" weapon, and features a 10 inch barrel.  Both the 14 inch and 10 inch barrels are illegal for American citizens to own.

Some have stated that the reason for rising gun sales in 2009 is due to citizens perceiving a threat to their second amendment.  Others have credited the rise in sales to animosity and racism.  The Department of Education is purchasing shotguns surely for another reason, but what is the explanation?

It is difficult to imagine why the Department of Education would need tactical shotguns.  If we must have a Federal Department of Education, funded by tax money and money borrowed on interest from the Federal Reserve, would it be too much to ask that the money be used to buy something like, oh, maybe books instead of tactical shotguns?

A response to my inquiry into the Department of Education Press Division has revealed that "The acquisition of these firearms is necessary to replace older and mechanically malfunctioning firearms.." 

How delightful. Where does the authority derive for the Department of Education to use money taxed from individuals to purchase firearms that citizens themselves cannot posses?

Are the Department of Education paranoid racists who fear the government?

Is the Department of Education subject to the same scrutiny individuals must endure in order to purchase firearms? Evidently not.

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 Purchase order from the FedBizzOps website: https://www.fbo.gov/index?id=16f1571b63e3d75d15583cc75b21d58c

Synopsis:

Added: Mar 08, 2010 10:39 am

The U.S. Department of Education (ED) intends to purchase twenty-seven (27) REMINGTON BRAND MODEL 870 POLICE 12/14P MOD GRWC XS4 KXCS SF. RAMAC #24587 GAUGE: 12 BARREL: 14″ - PARKERIZED CHOKE: MODIFIED SIGHTS: GHOST RING REAR WILSON COMBAT; FRONT - XS CONTOUR BEAD SIGHT STOCK: KNOXX REDUCE RECOIL ADJUSTABLE STOCK FORE-END: SPEEDFEED SPORT-SOLID - 14″ LOP are designated as the only shotguns authorized for ED based on compatibility with ED existing shotgun inventory, certified armor and combat training and protocol, maintenance, and parts.

The required date of delivery is March 22, 2010.

 FedBizzOps

 http://https://www.fbo.gov/index?id=16f1571b63e3d75d15583cc75b21d58c

Posted 03/12/10 MichaelBarry Sebring, FL

When did the Department of Education obtain law enforcement authority? Does the EPA have the authority to arm itself for combat operations, Housing and Urban Development, Health and Human Services, Internal Revenue, NOAA, NASA, OMB, Commerce Department, FAA, NTSB, etc.?

Posted 03/12/10 Steve Hoodjer Parkersburg, IA

That is pretty disconcerting, I sent Congressman Braley an email about it, the main portion of which is below. I did use just a bit of sarcasm, so I'm curious to see if he answers seriously or not at all: "As a private citizen who is concerned about how my tax dollars are spent, I was wondering if you or your staff could tell me why the Department of Education needs tactical shotguns, particularly ones designed for dynamic entry that would be of only marginal use in securing the Department's buildings. Also, as I work in a related industry marketing tactical products, I am wondering if our schools wouldn't make better use of high-powered rifles instead as I could refer the government to an Iowa based maker of rifle barrels that could bring this business to our state. Or just perhaps, the Department of Education might be of more value to our local schools by purchasing for them books or computers rather than offensive weaponry."

Posted 03/12/10 Steve Hoodjer Parkersburg, IA

And in case anyone is wondering, yes, I am against the federal Department of Education entirely, but I think getting Braley (the author of Cash for Clunkers for the non-Iowans) to challenge this appropriation is a realistic goal. For phasing out the department itself, we have to get our Ron Paul Republican William Johnson elected in his place.

Posted 03/12/10 daddysteve davenport, IA

Bruce Braley is a political whore that sold his TARP vote for a couple billion in extra pork for Iowa. Not a cheap whore, that's for sure. Good luck with e-mails Didn't do me any good.

Posted 03/13/10 rightsman Las Vegas,, NV

Ryan McAlister, Thank you for the post. It was a real shocker to learn that the Department of Education has any armaments at all! Most of the hierarchy of the department are gun control advocates, from what I understand. Where are these arms stored, and who has authorization to use them, and for what purpose? Randy Weaver's 13 year old son was shot in the back and killed by a federal policeman because Randy Weaver was accused of owning a "sawed off shotgun". Remember that? Armed IRS agents stormed, literally, a pre-school in Utah because the owners of the school owed the IRS money. The teachers were held at gun point, and parents who owed tuition, when they came to pick up the children, were forced to write checks to the IRS. This happened in the 80's. Armed IRS agents held an Amish man, a self employed cabinet maker, his wife and children at gun point while his tools and materials were loaded into rented trucks. And let's not forget the prisoner of war camps for the American Japanese during the war to end all wars. Thank you, Robert Walker