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« NY Times on Arizona proposals | Main | Firearms possession bans in Delaware housing authority apartments »

Just in time for tax season...

Posted by David Hardy · 3 February 2010 09:22 AM

IRS is in the market for sixty combat shotguns.

"Remington parkerized shotguns, with fourteen inch barrel, modified choke, Wilson Combat Ghost Ring rear sight and XS4 Contour Bead front sight, Knoxx Reduced Recoil Adjustable Stock, and Speedfeed ribbed black forend, are designated as the only shotguns authorized for IRS duty ..."

Hat tips to readers Bill Taggert, Mike Finch, and David McCleary...

16 Comments | Leave a comment

Diogenes | February 3, 2010 10:59 AM | Reply

Begs the question, "Why??"

Diogenes | February 3, 2010 11:01 AM | Reply

I'm not up to date on all the reg's, but wouldn't a 14" barrel require at least a tax stamp for us commoners??

Flighterdoc | February 3, 2010 12:28 PM | Reply

Yes, indeed: Why does the IRS need assault/CQB shotguns?

Jack | February 3, 2010 12:41 PM | Reply

This is No Country for Old Men...

Ed | February 3, 2010 12:48 PM | Reply

I'd wager it's more for internal policing than for knocking down doors to collect taxes. FLETC trains thousands of federal law enforcement personnel, most of whom the public never has any contact with, meaning not just DEA, ATF, etc. When some government worker steals medicare checks or social security numbers, nearly every agency has its own cops to deal with them. Not that I'm comfortable with armed tax collectors of any kind.

Dave R. | February 3, 2010 1:26 PM | Reply

I've seen figures of 60,000 federal law enforcement officers spread out over 45 agencies. It's not just the FBI, ATF and Marshalls anymore, its the Park Service and the EPA and others. Apparently no federal agency worth its budget can afford to go without guns and badges.

Our founders deplored standing armies and 'select militias,' one reason among several being a difference in self-interest between them and the general population. But this concern, and the language it was expressed in, predated modern professional police departments. It seems to me that militarized police departments fall into the descriptions of concern they used.

John W. | February 3, 2010 1:49 PM | Reply

That ought to make audits more interesting.

Virginian | February 3, 2010 3:44 PM | Reply

Who in their right mind would supply IRS with sixty shotguns?

"Oh, here Mr. Tyrant. Let me help forge the chains you want to place on me."

Ha! Clean up ATF first, then we'll talk about selling shotguns.

Carl from Chicago | February 3, 2010 4:28 PM | Reply

With 25% of the GDP being spent by the Feds, I am surprised they aren't ordering 60,000 of the damned things.

Chuck | February 3, 2010 4:39 PM | Reply

I am laughing aloud. It is just a coincidence, but I have two Mossberg shotguns with 14-inch barrels sitting at my dealer waiting for the ATF Form 4s to clear. On the Form 4 there is a box that you must state the reason you want to purchase the gun. I’m thinking next time I will write “If they’re good enough for the IRS they’re good enough for me” but I don’t think the box is that big.

Remember, U.S. v. Miller 1939 was all about a short barrel shotgun and the SCOTUS found that there was no militia purpose for a short barrel shotgun:

"In the absence of any evidence tending to show that possession or use of a 'shotgun having a barrel of less than eighteen inches in length' at this time has some reasonable relationship to the preservation or efficiency of a well regulated militia, we cannot say that the Second Amendment guarantees the right to keep and bear such an instrument." SCOTUS 1939

Finally, I am going to assume that the IRS does not have to pay the 200 dollar TAX per shotgun, that a mere citizen as myself must pay.

No longer laughing.

Chuck | February 3, 2010 5:02 PM | Reply

Since now a shotgun with a barrel length less than 18 inches appears to no longer be “dangerous AND unusual” (Heller v D.C.2009), per my post above, I am now wondering if I were sue to get my $200 back, based upon the infringement of my rights guaranteed by 2A, if I would prevail. 60/40 sounds fair. Gura et al.? Any other takers.

Jim D. | February 3, 2010 7:11 PM | Reply

Chuck, it does give new meaning to the phrase, "Good enough for government work."

W. W Woodward | February 3, 2010 7:56 PM | Reply

"We're from the government and we're here to help you."

Collecting debts at the barrel of a firearm is aggravated robbery in any state in the union.

[W-III]

Chuck | February 3, 2010 9:17 PM | Reply

Thompson Center v. U.S. SCOTUS 1992:
Thompson paid the 200 dollar tax to make a pistol/rifle kit. and then sued to get thier monty back...They wanted to sell a kit that allowed the buyer to convert the receiver from a pistol to a rifle and back again. They WON, but ATF claims the ruling only applies to that specific Thompson Center gun and no others.

SO, it would not be the first time. NO takers at 60/40. Thats 80 dollars in your pocket...

Now if you want to discuss "violation of right under color of law" we might be able to work out a better deal.

Just my thought for the night...Good night all.

straightarrow | February 3, 2010 11:52 PM | Reply

Hey! Pay attention! the .gov is arming up all their employees no matter their duties or agencies. Uh, gee, ya think maybe they have a plan in mind and need armed minions to carry it out? Just askin'.

Anonymous Coward | February 4, 2010 6:02 AM | Reply

Back about 10 years ago Oleg Volk did a great graphic on a purchase like this.

http://www.a-human-right.com/s_irs.jpg

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