DHS orders selective fire assault rifles for personal defense.

[Simfan34]

By whom?!

We're the ones who've been doing the attacking.

This is news to me. I didn't know the government was engaging in the systematic slaughter of its own citizens.

[AkSaber]

This is news to me. I didn't know the government was engaging in the systematic slaughter of its own citizens.

Over a million Iraqis are nothing?

[patrick1]

Neither is terrorism.

Right cause our country has been attacked so often these past 11 years.

Yes, in large part due to the fine work of the many agencies in DHS....

[Simfan34]

This is news to me. I didn't know the government was engaging in the systematic slaughter of its own citizens.

Over a million Iraqis are nothing?

And the Department of Homeland Security is doing the fighting. Gotcha.

[AkSaber]

Yes, in large part due to the fine work of the many agencies in DHS....

It never ceases to amaze me just how much liberals sound like conservatives.

They're both exactly the same anymore. They all want to spend our way into oblivion, instigate wars against people who don't look like us, constantly provoke an already agitated Middle East... I could go on for hours.

And the Department of Homeland Security is doing the fighting. Gotcha.

And the people who sanctioned the atrocities in the Middle East continue to buy weapons to "protect" themselves from us.

[Badger]

Yes, in large part due to the fine work of the many agencies in DHS....

It never ceases to amaze me just how much liberals sound like conservatives.

They're both exactly the same anymore. They all want to spend our way into oblivion, instigate wars against people who don't look like us, constantly provoke an already agitated Middle East... I could go on for hours.

And the Department of Homeland Security is doing the fighting. Gotcha.

And the people who sanctioned the atrocities in the Middle East continue to buy weapons to "protect" themselves from us.

Ok, and right there at the end things turn very weird.....

Do people who talk about Second Amendment remedies realize they're ultimately ADVOCATING THE MURDER OF AMERICAN SERVICEMEN AND WOMEN?? 'Oh no! I never meant that! I'm patriotic blahblahblah' STOP!! That is PRECISELY what 'Second Amendment remedies' mean!

Maybe putting it in that context might make us realize how far from that course we are, and how far we TRULY have to go before tyranny is upon us.

[Absentee Voting Ghost of Ruin]

It takes some weird thinking to believe that society is better if there is easy civilian access to the same weaponry as the government.   Personally, I kind of feel better knowing the people sworn to protect us have some advantages.

Protect us from what? Advantages over what? Does the TSA need more firepower to deal with those pesky luggage locks? Do you think they should unleash the proverbial "lead hose" at a fleeing suspect in a crowded concourse? Even if we presume that the TSA does stop "terrorists" at airports, what earthly use does an agency devoted to pat-downs, scanners, and checking luggage have for automatic weapons?

The TSA needs fully automatic weapons about as much as any citizen does, which is to say, not at all, unless planning violence against the public.

[Badger]

It takes some weird thinking to believe that society is better if there is easy civilian access to the same weaponry as the government.   Personally, I kind of feel better knowing the people sworn to protect us have some advantages.

Protect us from what? Advantages over what? Does the TSA need more firepower to deal with those pesky luggage locks? Do you think they should unleash the proverbial "lead hose" at a fleeing suspect in a crowded concourse? Even if we presume that the TSA does stop "terrorists" at airports, what earthly use does an agency devoted to pat-downs, scanners, and checking luggage have for automatic weapons?

The TSA needs fully automatic weapons about as much as any citizen does, which is to say, not at all, unless planning violence against the public.

Must be a gubmint plot! They ain't gonna put me in no camp! >:-(

Adjust your tin foil.

[Grumpier Than Uncle Joe]

The DHS having any weapons scares me.

Why? Are you planning on committing terrorism?

The terrorism excuse is so overused anymore it's not even funny.

Neither is terrorism.

The rejects from 7-11 end up at DHS, sadly, and knowing they are armed heavily scares the bejusus out of me.  K?  Thx.

[Absentee Voting Ghost of Ruin]

It takes some weird thinking to believe that society is better if there is easy civilian access to the same weaponry as the government.   Personally, I kind of feel better knowing the people sworn to protect us have some advantages.

Protect us from what? Advantages over what? Does the TSA need more firepower to deal with those pesky luggage locks? Do you think they should unleash the proverbial "lead hose" at a fleeing suspect in a crowded concourse? Even if we presume that the TSA does stop "terrorists" at airports, what earthly use does an agency devoted to pat-downs, scanners, and checking luggage have for automatic weapons?

The TSA needs fully automatic weapons about as much as any citizen does, which is to say, not at all, unless planning violence against the public.

Must be a gubmint plot! They ain't gonna put me in no camp! >:-(

Adjust your tin foil.

Oh please. :-D Just because I indulge in a bit of hyperbole doesn't mean my point isn't valid. The TSA has no need for assault rifles, or any other full-auto weapon. Maybe a pistol, taser, or some pepper spray for cases where they don't have police and/or security guards as readily available backup. But that's it.

The TSA's job isn't to confront the bad guys, it's to check ID, read screens, and ensure people form orderly lines. Should DMV employees should have assault rifles?