[jlarocco]

Sounded suspicious until I saw the list on page 5.

The Department of State, FBI, prison system, DEA, secret service, ICE, customs/border patrol, etc. are all on the top of the list, and I'd expect them to spend a lot of money on guns, ammo, and "military-style equipment".

A few of them are higher than I'd expect, but most of them seem reasonable. Any agency that uses armed security guards is going to spend some amount of money on guns, ammo, training, etc.

[wallace_f]

>The Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service spent $4.77 million purchasing shotguns, .308 caliber rifles, night vision goggles, propane cannons, liquid explosives, pyro supplies, buckshot, LP gas cannons, drones, remote controlled helicopters, thermal cameras, military waterproof thermal infrared scopes, and more.

[toomanybeersies]

In their defence, it would appear on first glance at the sample purchases that a lot of the weapons purchased are hunting rifles and shotguns, useful for pest destruction/culling and putting down sick animals.

LP gas cannons are used for scaring birds and making them take flight, night vision equipment is very useful for culling animals, same goes for thermal cameras/scopes.

[gerbal]

Take a look at that agencies responsibilities[1]. There's a lot there that could necessitate that sort of materiel. Including monitoring wildlife, enforcing bans in trade of various species, and enforcing animal welfare.

[1] https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Animal_and_Plant_Health_Inspec...

[mason240]

Seems appropriate for an agency dealing with exotic animal smuggling.

[johnnyhillbilly]

Is that so strange?