Open the Books reveals $1B spent on guns by federal agencies
Summary
Federal administrative agencies are beginning to cut spending on guns and ammunition, a significant shift given that agencies like the Internal Revenue Service (IRS) and the Social Security Administration have previously spent millions on military-style equipment. According to a report from Open the Books, spending at non-law enforcement federal agencies totaled $1.4 billion from FY 2024 to FY 2026, with $531 million recorded in Trump's first fiscal year. However, many of these regulatory agencies, including the IRS, have seen substantial spending reductions; the IRS alone reduced its gun and ammo expenditures by 47% from FY 2025 to FY 2026. This trend indicates a broader decline in purchasing among various non-military agencies, contrasting with increased allocations at the Department of Homeland Security and specific program-related purchases at agencies like NASA.
Analysis
NASA: NASA conducts space exploration, scientific research, and aeronautics programs. Its spending surged due to specialized purchases tied to the Artemis Program, including unmanned aircraft and propulsion-related components. Teledyne: Teledyne is a technology company that supplies sensors and imaging systems. It received contracts from the U.S. Coast Guard for night-vision equipment used on helicopters. Joe Biden: Joe Biden served as President of the United States immediately prior to the current administration. The report compares agency spending in fiscal years associated with the end of his term to the subsequent period. Tom Coburn: Tom Coburn was a U.S. Senator known for oversight work on government spending. He co-authored an earlier Wall Street Journal opinion piece questioning federal agency acquisitions of firearms. Donald Trump: Donald Trump is the current President of the United States. The news attributes fiscal year 2026 spending figures to his administration and notes increases at certain enforcement agencies during this period. Sean Hannity: Sean Hannity is a conservative media host who has covered topics of government spending and agency militarization. His radio program featured discussion of a prior Open the Books report on the subject. Open the Books: Open the Books is a government transparency organization that analyzes and publishes federal spending data. It produced the underlying report documenting agency purchases of guns, ammunition, and military-style equipment across fiscal years. Secret Service: The Secret Service protects the President and other designated officials while also investigating financial crimes. It appears in the report among agencies with law enforcement functions that recorded spending increases on protective and operational gear. Adam Andrzejewski: Adam Andrzejewski is the founder of Open the Books and has led multiple reports on federal equipment purchases. He is referenced in connection with the organization's ongoing documentation of agency arsenals. Internal Revenue Service: The Internal Revenue Service administers and enforces U.S. tax laws. The news reports a significant reduction in its spending on weapons and related equipment compared with the prior fiscal year, continuing a slowdown from earlier peaks. Customs and Border Protection: Customs and Border Protection secures U.S. borders and facilitates legitimate trade and travel. The agency is noted for contributing to higher overall spending within the Department of Homeland Security on law enforcement equipment. Small Business Administration: The Small Business Administration provides support, loans, and resources to small businesses. It is cited among the pencil-pushing administrative agencies that have historically acquired military-style equipment. Social Security Administration: The Social Security Administration manages retirement, disability, and survivor benefits programs. It recorded zero spending on the tracked equipment in the most recent period examined, contributing to the observed drawdown at administrative agencies. Department of Homeland Security: The Department of Homeland Security oversees immigration, border security, cybersecurity, and disaster response. Its component agencies drove the overall increase in non-DOD spending on guns and ammo, primarily through enforcement-focused entities. Drug Enforcement Administration: The Drug Enforcement Administration enforces controlled substances laws and combats drug trafficking. It is listed among traditional federal law enforcement bodies that maintain arsenals for daily responsibilities. Environmental Protection Agency: The Environmental Protection Agency develops and enforces environmental regulations. It saw a modest uptick in spending on specialized detection instruments despite the broader pattern of reductions at regulatory agencies. Federal Bureau of Investigation: The Federal Bureau of Investigation is the primary federal law enforcement agency responsible for investigating federal crimes and protecting national security. In the context of this news, it is identified as one of the core law enforcement agencies expected to maintain spending on firearms and related equipment for operational duties. Immigration and Customs Enforcement: Immigration and Customs Enforcement enforces federal laws governing border control, customs, trade, and immigration. The news highlights its increased spending on guns, ammunition, and tactical equipment under the Department of Homeland Security as part of broader enforcement priorities. Agency Drawdown: Administrative and regulatory bodies such as the General Services Administration, Department of State, and Internal Revenue Service demonstrated accelerated declines in equipment purchases during the most recent fiscal period. Spending Trends: Several non-law-enforcement federal agencies recorded sharp year-over-year reductions or complete elimination of spending on guns, ammunition, and related equipment. Program-Specific Purchases: Increases at select agencies were largely attributable to specialized programs rather than standard law enforcement needs.
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