DHS places and order for 7k select-fire rifles for personal defense

[pr_capone]

On 7 June 2012, the Department of Homeland security drew up a proposal to purchase 7k select-fire rifles in a 5.56x45mm caliber. In that proposal, the rifles are described as follows:

"DHS and its components have a requirement for a 5.56x45mm NATO, select-fire firearm suitable for personal defense use in close quarters and/or when maximum concealment is required." (Section C(PDW)ver 7.pdf - available in the below link)

Suitable for personal defense in close quarters or maximum concealment, eh? Sounds like a kind of situation one might encounter in their own home and faced with an intruder.

It seems as if in the eyes of the government these are select-fire personal defense tools in the hands of one of their agents. In the hands of a good law abiding citizens they are semi-automatic assault rifle mass killing machines.

Link:

https://www.fbo.gov/?s=opportunity&mode=form&id=d791b6aa0fd9d3d8833b2efa08300033&tab=core&_cview=0

[Fish]

Originally Posted by Direckshun

I disagree.

If we're talking about instruments that make indiscriminate killing incredibly easy to achieve, we do need to justify their usage and/or legality.

We live in a world full of instruments that make indiscriminate killing incredibly easy. Sorry. Acceptable loss justified by our desired lifestyles.

[petegz28]

Originally Posted by Direckshun

I don't see any conceivable difference between a semiauto and a grenade launcher in this scenario. Please delineate the material difference as to make my comparison obsolete.

You're an idiot

[dirk digler]

Originally Posted by Direckshun

I'm just saying, I'm willing to bet you don't have a shelter under your home to rush into in case biological warfare started spreading. Nor, I'm guessing, will you start investing your money to do just that.

The odds of needing a semiauto to protect yourself at home are hardly better.

I think this is a little extreme direckshun. There is no need to ban semi-automatic handguns so people can defend themselves at home. I have worked and known cops that never shot their weapon in 20 years outside of training but that doesn't mean they shouldn't have them just in case.

Now where I would agree with you on is the stockpiling of weapons. There is no need for a regular Joe to have an arsenal. But I don't know how you stop that.

[Fish]

Originally Posted by Direckshun

Nonsense. We can regulate gun ownership.

We've already been doing so for decades....

And in doing so, gun violence overall has seen steady decline and is currently at the lowest overall level in 30+ years.

[Cave Johnson]

Originally Posted by Radar Chief

What distances were you shooting at?

Short to intermediate. Maybe 15-20 yards, max

[Direckshun]

Originally Posted by Fish

We live in a world full of instruments that make indiscriminate killing incredibly easy. Sorry. Acceptable loss justified by our desired lifestyles.

While I agree with that equation, my assessment of where exactly that market lies differs from yours.

[dirk digler]

Originally Posted by Direckshun

I don't see any conceivable difference between a semiauto and a grenade launcher in this scenario. Please delineate the material difference as to make my comparison obsolete.

The kill zone of a grenade is about 16 feet and probably would destroy your house and anything in that zone. Most self-defense shootings come within 1-5 feet range.

[Direckshun]

Originally Posted by dirk digler

I think this is a little extreme direckshun. There is no need to ban semi-automatic handguns so people can defend themselves at home. I have worked and known cops that never shot their weapon in 20 years outside of training but that doesn't mean they shouldn't have them just in case.

Well law enforcement is different. I believe that off-duty officers should be subject to far more lenient standards.

Originally Posted by dirk digler

Now where I would agree with you on is the stockpiling of weapons. There is no need for a regular Joe to have an arsenal. But I don't know how you stop that.

A national database is an idea, or at least a history of previous background checks.

[Direckshun]

Originally Posted by Fish

We've already been doing so for decades....

WHAT?

But I was told we can't infringe the right to bear arms!

Originally Posted by Fish

And in doing so, gun violence overall has seen steady decline and is currently at the lowest overall level in 30+ years.

And while I welcome that trend, and pray it continues, that doesn't change the fact that we are embarrassingly awful compared to all of our western neighbors.

[Fish]

Originally Posted by dirk digler

The kill zone of a grenade is about 16 feet and probably would destroy your house and anything in that zone. Most self-defense shootings come within 1-5 feet range.

Did you really have to type that?

[Direckshun]

Originally Posted by dirk digler

The kill zone of a grenade is about 16 feet and probably would destroy your house and anything in that zone. Most self-defense shootings come within 1-5 feet range.

Right -- my point is that if we are to pile semiautos into our homes in the off, off, off chance that they are the only thing that could save us, I don't see why a grenade launcher could not also be subject to the same logic.

[Cave Johnson]

Originally Posted by Direckshun

You don't need a semiauto. Period.

Yeah, you had me up to this point. You're on your own from here.

[Radar Chief]

Originally Posted by Cave Johnson

Short to intermediate. Maybe 15-20 yards, max

Sounds like fun, I'll have to find an event and check it out.

[petegz28]

Originally Posted by Direckshun

Right -- my point is that if we are to pile semiautos into our homes in the off, off, off chance that they are the only thing that could save us, I don't see why a grenade launcher could not also be subject to the same logic.

Bullshit,. Your argument is so full of fail, lacks so much in fact, logic and reality that you are resorting to trying to compare a handgun to a grenade launcher.

Do us all a favor an dstick licking Obama's ass.

[Direckshun]

Originally Posted by Cave Johnson

Yeah, you had me up to this point. You're on your own from here.

Alrighty.