House Republicans are proposing the “Why Does the IRS Need Guns Act,” which aims to disarm the Internal Revenue Service by prohibiting the use of funds to purchase, receive, or store firearms and ammunition. The bill also calls for transferring IRS firearms and ammunition to the Administrator of General Services, who would then sell or auction them to licensed dealers and the public. The proceeds from these sales would be allocated to the general fund of the Treasury for the sole purpose of deficit reduction.
Introduced by Rep. Barry Moore of Alabama, the measure is supported by three original cosponsors: GOP Reps. Harriet Hageman of Wyoming, Mary Miller of Illinois, and Clay Higgins of Louisiana. The bill transfers the authorities, functions, personnel, and assets of the IRS Criminal Investigation Division to the Department of Justice, where it will be maintained as a distinct entity within the Criminal Division. Moore argues that the IRS has been “weaponized” and has targeted various groups such as religious organizations, journalists, gun owners, and ordinary Americans. He believes that disarming IRS agents and auctioning off their guns and ammunition is a step towards ensuring public safety.
The IRS states on its website that its mission is to provide top-quality service to American taxpayers by helping them understand and meet their tax responsibilities, while enforcing the law with integrity and fairness. However, Moore and other supporters of the bill believe that arming IRS agents is unnecessary and that their only tool should be calculators. The bill aims to address concerns about the agency’s use of firearms by redirecting funds towards deficit reduction. Moore emphasized the need for the IRS to prioritize taxpayer money efficiently and stop stockpiling guns and ammunition during Tax Day, highlighting the need for reform in the agency’s practices.
By disarming the IRS and transferring its authorities to the Department of Justice, the bill aims to limit the agency’s ability to use firearms and ammunition. The proposal to sell or auction off IRS firearms and ammunition is a way to generate revenue for deficit reduction. Supporters argue that this action is necessary to prevent potential misuse of firearms by IRS agents and to ensure that taxpayer funds are used responsibly. Overall, the “Why Does the IRS Need Guns Act” represents an effort by House Republicans to address concerns about IRS conduct and spending.
