A detailed notice published by government spending watchdog Open The Books reveals that the Internal Revenue Service (IRS) has allocated millions of dollars toward the acquisition of firearms, ammunition, and combat gear since 2020, according to a report from The Epoch Times.
The watchdog organization’s findings indicate that the IRS has spent $10 million on weaponry and equipment since the COVID-19 pandemic began.
The report, released on April 27, details the spending breakdown, which includes $2.3 million on duty ammunition, $1.2 million on ballistic shields, and a further $1.3 million on “various other gear for criminal investigation agents.”
The IRS has also reportedly spent $474,000 on Smith & Wesson rifles, $463,000 on Beretta 1301 tactical shotguns, and $243,000 on body armor vests during this period.
Additional purchases made by the agency include $467,000 on duty tactical lighting, $354,000 on tactical gear bags, and $267,000 on ballistic helmets.
The data in the report, titled “The Militarization of Federal Bureaucracy,” has been updated through the end of March 2023.
According to the watchdog group’s findings, the IRS has spent a total of $35.2 million (adjusted for inflation) on guns, ammunition, and military-style equipment since 2006, Epoch Times notes.
The report highlights that the years 2020 and 2021 saw a significant increase in spending by the agency in these areas.