(WASHINGTON, D.C.) -- U.S. Senator Tom Coburn, M.D. (R-OK), ranking member of the Homeland Security and Governmental Affairs Committee, today highlighted a new report from the Government Accountability Office (GAO) that examines ammunition procurement practices at the Department of Homeland Security. The report found that since 2009, ammunition purchases at the department have declined. DHS currently has more than 70,000 firearm-carrying personnel.
"Today's GAO report provides much-needed oversight into DHS's ammunition procurement practices," Dr. Coburn said. "Specifically, the GAO looked at DHS's history of ammunition purchases and found that purchases have declined considerably since 2009. The GAO also highlighted a number of positive safeguards DHS uses in its procurement practices such as strategic sourcing in order to secure the lowest prices for ammo. I am pleased DHS has worked in good faith, and in a transparent manner, with both myself and the GAO. I will continue to conduct rigorous oversight of DHS programs and will specifically work with Congress and the GAO to examine how duplicative federal police forces cause excess and waste across the federal government."