INTEL 742

During President Obama’s administration, there were reports that various U.S. federal agencies, particularly the Department of Homeland Security (DHS), purchased large quantities of ammunition, including hollow-point bullets. However, the claim that the U.S. government bought 5 billion (5,000 million) hollow-point bullets during this period is exaggerated and often misinterpreted.

Background on the Purchase of Hollow-Point Bullets:

1. DHS Ammo Purchases: Between 2012 and 2013, the DHS entered into contracts for purchasing large amounts of ammunition over multiple years. Reports indicated that the contracts allowed for the purchase of up to 1.6 billion rounds of various types of ammunition, not just hollow points, over a span of 5 years. This figure represented the maximum allowable under those contracts, but it didn’t mean that this amount was actually purchased or used in that timeframe.
2. Purpose: The large-scale ammo purchases were meant for law enforcement training, active duty usage, and maintaining reserve stockpiles. Federal law enforcement agencies such as Customs and Border Protection, Immigration and Customs Enforcement, the Secret Service, and the Federal Law Enforcement Training Centers were significant consumers of this ammunition. Hollow-point bullets are widely used in law enforcement because they expand upon impact, reducing the risk of over-penetration and collateral damage.
3. Public Concerns: Some media outlets and public figures raised concerns and suspicions over these purchases, leading to conspiracy theories about the government stockpiling ammunition for reasons beyond law enforcement. However, most analysts and officials explained that these purchases were routine for law enforcement training and operations.

The Exact Figure:

While the total purchases were substantial, the 5 billion hollow-point bullets claim is inaccurate. The number of hollow-point bullets actually purchased is far lower than that figure, and much of the ammo purchased under these contracts was not hollow-point but general-purpose rounds for training.

Summary:

• The U.S. government did sign contracts during the Obama administration for purchasing large amounts of ammunition, including hollow-point bullets.
• Claims of 5 billion hollow-point bullets being bought are overstatements. The actual quantity purchased for law enforcement training and use is far smaller.