TSA Systematically Training Armed Officers at Gun Ranges Across the Country
(Truthstream Media) If you think security theater at the airport is out of control now, just wait.
Anxious speculation that the Transportation Security Administration (TSA) is trying to arm thei... at security checkpoints across American airports has proven correct.
While TSA unions are pushing for a policy allowing armed TSA agents, Homeland Security is quietly funding their training and “qualification” across the country.
Documents at FedBiz Opps show that DHS has been contracting the use of firing ranges in close proximity to airports in numerous American cities for its personnel.
The solicitations state that:
“DHS will provide all ammunition, targets, and firearms instructors.”
Several sites have already been funded to the tune of about half a million dollars to cover the cost of reserving facilities and paying for hundreds of thousands of rounds of training ammo. Many of the solicitations require accommodations for “night fire drills” and various “rapid fire drills,” along with other specialized training.
Although the brief descriptions don’t specifically mention the involvement of TSA, the detailed synopses do:
TSA reserves the right to inspect all proposed sites to ensure compliance with all requirements set forth above.
Additionally, the TSA are listed as the solicitor and contacts for the proposal are addresses to ole.tsa.dhs.gov, the domain for the TSA Office of Law Enforcement.
Special equipment for DHS training will be stored at range sites and blocked from public access: “A (DHS owned) CONEX box is required to be stored at the range site, in a secured area where the public does not have access. Special targets, aircraft seats, range and other equipment deemed necessary will be stored in this unit.”
Here are briefs for some of the solicitations:
Atlanta, Georgia firing range solicitation
July 16, 2014
DHS personnel will use the range utilizing approximately 300,000 rounds to be shot during requirement timeframe. The proposal set forth shall price 44 training days per year.
Los Angeles LAX firing range service solicitation
awarded July 24, 2014
DHS personnel will use the range 36 days per quarter. DHS requires exclusive use of the range in 8 hour blocks, and limited blocks in the evening for night/low light shooting. The range will be closed to the public (non-law enforcement) during the corresponding hours that DHS uses the range. Should weather (e.g. rainout) or unforeseen circumstances prevent the use of the range; DHS will have priority in rescheduling those missed days within the same month, if possible, or the following month, if not possible. DHS will provide all ammunition, targets, and firearms instructors. The estimated number of rounds fired per year is 500,000.
DHS will provide all AMMUNITION, TARGETS and FIREARMS INSTRUCTORS. The range time must be available exclusively to the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) during the hours indicated. The range must be able to be utilized for approximately 71 days at 4 hour blocks. An outdoor range is preferred. Each shooter will fire approximately 400 rounds per qualification.
New York LaGuardia Airport firing range solicitation
awarded Aug 22, 2014
DHS requires to reserve to use of the range in 5 to 8 hour blocks. DHS personnel will use the range an average of 25 days per quarter (100 days per year). The estimated number of rounds fired per year is 490,200.
Denver, Colorado metro area firing range service solicitation
November 13, 201
DHS will provide all AMMUNITION, TARGETS and FIREARMS INSTRUCTORS. The range time must be available exclusively to the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) during the hours indicated. The range must be able to accommodate 25 shooters, a minimum of four days per month. Each shooter will fire approximately 250 rounds per day.
and
DHS personnel will use the range an average of 4 days per month (4 days X 12 months = 48 days per year/4 quarters) with an estimated 20 shooters per day. The estimated number of rounds fired per year is 240,000 (based on 20 shooters per day X 250 rounds per shooter X 48 days). The range must be closed to the public during the corresponding hours. Under this contract, DHS requires exclusive use of the range in 4 hour blocks from 8:00 AM to 12:00 PM. This does not include weekends and federal holidays.
Dallas, Texas firing range service solicitation
awarded January 28, 2015 an amount not to exceed $453,373.59
• The range must have the ability to shoot night fire drills and provide sufficient lighting.
• The estimated number of rounds fired per quarter is 132,000.
• DHS will have priority scheduling as long as it is done 30 days in advance.
DHS personnel will use the range an average of 12 days per month, 8 hours each day for 24 point range. Approximately 44,000 rounds are anticipated to be shot per month. The proposals set forth shall price a minimum of 144 days per year (twelve days a month for 12 months).
D.C. Dulles International Airport firing range solicitation
January 30, 2015
The range rules will allow students to draw and fire from the holster. The range rules will not disallow a student from moving in front of the firing points with an instructor present, including conducting lateral movements between target points. Range rules will not disallow students from performing multiple and rapid-fire drills.
Boston, Massachusetts firing range solicitation
February 13, 2015
• The range must have the ability to shoot night fire drills and provide sufficient lighting.
• Estimated number of rounds fired per quarter is 60,000.
• DHS will have priority scheduling as long as it is done 30 days in advance.
• DHS personnel will use the range an average of 8 days per month, 8 hours each day for 10 point range. Approximately 20,000 rounds are anticipated to be shot per month. The proposals set forth shall price a minimum of 99 days per year (an average of 8 days a month for 12 months).
Detroit firing range solicitation
February 26, 2015
DHS personnel will use the range an average of 18 days per year (3 days X 6 months = 18 days per year/from April 15th to October 30th) with an estimated 20 shooters per day. The estimated number of rounds fired per year is 90,000 (based on 20 shooters per day X 250 rounds per shooter X 18 days). The range must be closed to the public during the corresponding hours. Under this contract, DHS requires exclusive use of the range in 8 hour blocks from 8:00 AM to 16:00 PM. This does not include weekends and federal holidays.
Another firing range requirement solicitation was released on March 17, 2015 for Sunrise, Florida within a 20 mile radius of I75 Interstate Sunrise Blvd.
Not sure about you, but it looks a lot like the TSA is about to get armed.
The hour is definitely getting late, America.
Why is the mainstream media still pretending like the case is still being made for possiblyarming the TSA:
CNN: TSA union calls for arming some airport employees
[…]the union that represents Transportation Security Administration officers iscalling for a new elite force that would be armed and authorized to use deadly force at airports across the U.S.
But the union isn’t calling for all TSA employees to be armed – just a new unit within the agency that is specially trained to handle volatile situations in tight spaces like security lines.
All while the Federal Business Opportunities official government website is filled with agency contracts for TSA agents to train at firing ranges within a certain mile radius of major airports nationwide? And they have been for months now.
We’re about to live in a country where we not only have a gestapo at our airports, but they are about to be armed and authorized to use deadly force.
God help us all.
