Republicans seek to strip IRS of guns and ammo

House Republicans are pushing a bold proposal to disarm the Internal Revenue Service (IRS) by taking away their guns and ammunition. The “Why Does the IRS Need Guns Act” would prevent the commissioner of internal revenue from using funds to purchase, receive, or store firearms and ammo. Instead, the measure calls for the transfer of IRS firearms and ammunition to the Administrator of General Services, who would then sell or auction off the guns to licensed dealers and the ammo to the public. The proceeds from these sales would be directed towards deficit reduction.

The bill also stipulates that the authorities, functions, personnel, and assets of the IRS’s Criminal Investigation Division would be transferred to the Department of Justice, maintaining it as a distinct entity within the Criminal Division.

Rep. Barry Moore, R-Ala., introduced the legislation with support from three other GOP lawmakers: Harriet Hageman of Wyoming, Mary Miller of Illinois, and Clay Higgins of Louisiana. Moore argues that the IRS has been “weaponized” against American citizens, targeting various groups including religious organizations, journalists, and gun owners. He believes that disarming IRS agents and selling off their weapons is the best course of action, stating that “the only thing IRS agents should be armed with are calculators.”

Tax Day serves as a poignant reminder for Moore that it is time for the IRS to stop stockpiling guns and ammunition with taxpayer dollars. The proposed legislation aims to curb what some Republicans see as excessive use of force by the IRS and redirect resources towards deficit reduction.

The move to disarm the IRS has sparked debate among lawmakers and taxpayers alike, with some questioning the necessity of arming tax officials in the first place. As the proposal makes its way through Congress, it remains to be seen whether it will gain enough support to become law.

In conclusion, the “Why Does the IRS Need Guns Act” represents a significant shift in how the federal agency operates and underscores the ongoing debate over the role of government agencies in law enforcement. Whether the bill ultimately passes or not, it is clear that the issue of IRS firearms and ammunition will continue to be a topic of discussion in the months to come.