House GOP Bill Seeks to Disarm IRS Agents

House Republicans, led by Rep. Barry Moore of Alabama, have introduced the 'Why Does the IRS Need Guns Act,' which seeks to disarm the Internal Revenue Service by prohibiting the agency from purchasing or storing firearms and ammunition. The bill would require the IRS to transfer its existing weapons and ammo to the General Services Administration, which would then auction the firearms to licensed dealers and the ammunition to the public, with proceeds specifically earmarked for deficit reduction. The legislation responds to concerns about the IRS being 'weaponized' against Americans and follows reports that the agency spent millions on firearms and tactical equipment in recent years. The IRS's law enforcement duties, currently performed by its Criminal Investigation division, would be transferred to the Department of Justice, maintaining those functions within a distinct entity. Supporters argue that IRS agents should only be 'armed with calculators,' not guns, and frame the bill as a measure to prevent government overreach. The move has been cosponsored by several GOP representatives and is positioned as a response to broader concerns about the arming of nontraditional federal agencies.