Uh Coast Guard and Secret Service are a few agencies under the DHS so I can imagine a lot of ammo is needed.

450 million bullets? How many people in the USA? I suppose they will miss a few times here and there.

Maybe it's that time again for the agencies that carry to re-certify. That much ammo would be a fun afternoon at the range Since it's nearly spring and outdoor ranges kinda suck in the winter.... or they might be preparing for the zombie apocalypse

Originally posted by gladtobehere

ANOKA, Minn., March 12, 2012 /PRNewswire via COMTEX/ -- ATK /quotes/zigman/217145/quotes/nls/atk ATK +0.25% announced that it is being awarded an Indefinite Delivery/Indefinite Quantity (IDIQ) agreement from the Department of Homeland Security, U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (DHS, ICE) for .40 caliber ammunition. This contract features a base of 12 months, includes four option years, and will have a maximum volume of 450 million rounds.

Key word there is "maximum." Doesn't mean they're actually buying 450 million rounds, it means they can't buy any more than that without signing a new contract. The number makes the manufacturer look good in a press release--which is what this is--but doesn't tell us anything about what kind of business the customer actually plans on doing. Except that it's less than 450 million rounds of .40 caliber over the next five years.

Seem like a bit errr much for a department which does nothing.

Coast Guard, ICE, CBP, Secret Service, all these agencies do nothing? But it looks like the contract is with ICE only, not the entire department.

Well ICE is under DHS right? But do border guards really need 450 MILLION rounds?

ICE aren't border guards. The Border Patrol is under CBP.

I think the United States is coming to terms that it has pissed off the poeple that keep them employed. I believe the DHS is preparing for major "domestic terrorism". Although we all know, the right to bear arms is to help destroy the government when it is no longer the people's. They know this and are counter preparing.

My best guess.

Target practice? I dunno, but I doubt anything sinister. Every now and then the feds buy a huge quantity of some caliber ammo for whatever reason. I'll never forget 5 or 6 years ago going into the gun shop and my usual $115 case of Wolf FMJ 7.62x39 was $250.

They had bought up all they could to supply Iraq and Afghanistan. Pissed me off so I just dipped into the reserves and bought up more when it went back to $4 a box.

DHS to buy 450 million rounds of ammo...why?

They're trying to outgun US civilians.

Maybe their getting ready for the Alien invasion, and the more rounds they have the better chance they have at fighting them off. Who knows. Interesting though, I guess that leaves the local state department and local law enforcement without ammo, if Homeland is hoarding the ammo. Guess, their going to have to resort to their tasers and batons to fend for themselves.