River Region Times

U.S. Representative Barry Moore has introduced a piece of legislation titled the "Why Does the IRS Need Guns Act," aiming to address concerns over the Internal Revenue Service's possession of firearms. The bill is co-sponsored by Representatives Harriet Hageman, Mary Miller, and Clay Higgins.

Moore's legislation comes in response to reports that the IRS has used $10 million since 2020 to purchase weapons, ammunition, and gear. The proposed law would forbid the IRS from acquiring or storing firearms and ammunition and would transfer any existing firearms to the General Services Administration (GSA) for sale and auction. Additionally, the bill proposes that the IRS's Criminal Investigations Division be incorporated under the Department of Justice.

"The IRS has consistently been weaponized against American citizens," Moore stated. He argues that the agency's agents should not be armed, suggesting instead that "the only thing IRS agents should be armed with are calculators."

Congresswoman Hageman expressed support for the legislation, highlighting issues uncovered by the Select Subcommittee on the Weaponization of the Federal Government. "The Why Does the IRS Need Guns Act will ensure the agency sticks to its mission of collecting revenue rather than moonlighting as a paramilitary law enforcement agency susceptible to politicization," Hageman noted.

Congresswoman Mary Miller criticized the allocation of taxpayer dollars for arming the IRS, advocating for "proper transparency, oversight, and accountability" instead. She voiced her full support for the bill, stating the necessity to disarm the IRS.

Congressman Clay Higgins underscored the potential threats to constitutional freedoms, stating, "IRS agents should not hit homes and businesses like SWAT teams." He thanked Moore for introducing the legislation, describing it as vital to disarming the IRS.