Matt Gaetz Proposes Bill Restricting the IRS From Purchasing Ammunition

The IRS unnecessarily spent $725,000 on ammunition from March to June this year.

QUICK FACTS:

• Matt Gaetz (R-FL) introduced the “Disarm the IRS” bill, arguing that the IRS does not need to be armed in order to collect taxes.
• The “Disarm the IRS Act” would make it illegal for the IRS to obtain any ammunition through purchases or other means.
• From March to June of 2022, the IRS acquired $725,000 worth of ammunition, although only the Criminal Investigation Division (CI) is legally able to carry weapons.
• The IRS website claims the Criminal Investigation Division is designed to “investigate potential criminal violations” through means “[fostering] confidence in the tax system and compliance with the law.”
• In an interview with Jesse Watters on Fox News, Gaetz articulated his belief that “the heaviest artillery an IRS agent would need would be a calculator.”
• “So here’s the Biden plan,” said Gaetz, “disarm Americans, open the border, empty the prisons, but rest assured, they’ll still collect your taxes, and they need $725,000 worth of ammunition, apparently, to get the job done.”

BREAKING: Today I'm introducing the 'Disarm the IRS Act' of 2022 to prohibit the Internal Revenue Service from acquiring, by purchase or otherwise, any ammunition after the bill’s enactment.https://t.co/hLUTMhoCAu pic.twitter.com/9Z243pPs3t

— Rep. Matt Gaetz (@RepMattGaetz) July 1, 2022

IRS AMMO ‘NECESSITY’:

• The IRS website states in section 9.11.3.2.2 that “ammunition” and “red guns,” among other supplies, are part of the Internal Revenue Service’s “Investigative Accessories.”
• The government website also states the Special Agent in Charge (SAC) is given the ability to “purchase expendable supplies and accessories, such as ammunition, targets, etc.”
• A 2013 report analyzing an audit from the Treasury Inspector General for Tax Administration (TIGTA) claimed IRS agents accidentally shot their firearms more frequently than in intentional use and do not always receive additional training following such incidents.

BACKGROUND:

• In 2017, the IRS acquired 4,487 guns and over 5 million rounds of ammunition, according to the Government Accountability Office.
• The court case, United States v. Adams, involved a man arguing that IRS agents carrying guns was illegal, although the man was convicted of tax evasion.
• See the full “Disarm the IRS” bill here.