This bill prohibits the Internal Revenue Service (IRS) from using appropriated funds to purchase, receive, or store any firearm or ammunition. It also requires the IRS to transfer to the General Services Administration (GSA) any firearms or ammunition owned or under the control of the IRS. Within 30 days of such transfer, the GSA must initiate the sale or auction of any firearms to licensed dealers and the auction of any ammunition to the general public.

The bill grants the Department of Justice authority over the administration and enforcement of criminal investigations with respect to the sale or transfer of firearms and ammunition.

Bill sponsors claim that the Internal Revenue Service (IRS) has clearly been weaponized against the American people, and their latest abuse is the use of taxpayer dollars to purchase firearms for agents.

Since the start of 2020, the IRS has spent $10 million on weapons, ammo, and combat gear.

This legislation:

• Prohibits the IRS from purchasing, receiving, or storing firearms and ammo.
• Requires the IRS to transfer to the General Services Administration (GSA) any firearms or ammunition under IRS control.
• Compels GSA to initiate the sell and auction of the firearms to licensed dealers and the ammunition to the general public.
• Transfers the IRS Criminal Investigations Division to be folded into the Department of Justice's jurisdiction.

Arguing in favor, argue "The IRS has consistently been weaponized against American citizens, targeted religious organizations, journalists, gun owners, and everyday Americans." Arming these agents does not make the American public safer. My legislation, the Why Does the IRS Need Guns Act, would disarm these agents, auction off their guns to Federal Firearms License Owners, and sell their ammunition to the public. The only thing IRS agents should be armed with are calculators, " said Rep. Barry Moore (R-AL)

Rep. Harriet Hageman (R-WY) said, “It is a shocking fact that the Biden administration spent over $10 million on firearms and ammunitions for IRS employees. This is especially troubling in light of the Select Subcommittee on the Weaponization of the Federal Government’s investigation into the IRS which exposed patterns of political targeting and harassment by agents. I am proud to support Congressman Moore’s bill which rightly strips the IRS of its arsenal and transfers the Criminal Investigations Division to the Department of Justice. The Why Does the IRS Need Guns Act will ensure the agency sticks to its mission of collecting revenue rather than moonlighting as a paramilitary law enforcement agency susceptible to politicization." 

"There is absolutely zero justification for wasting taxpayer dollars to arm a federal agency that was never meant to act as an enforcement arm of the government," said Rep. Mary Miller (R-IL). "The IRS doesn't need a stockpile of guns and ammunition — it needs proper transparency, oversight, and accountability. I fully support Rep. Moore's bill to disarm the IRS and end this dangerous power grab once and for all."

Those against argue the idea of the IRS (Internal Revenue Service) carrying firearms often surprises people, since the agency is mostly known for tax collection. However, there are several reasons IRS employees carry firearms. The IRS has a Criminal Investigation (CI) unit that deals with serious financial crimes—things like tax evasion, money laundering, cybercrime, and even funding of terrorism. These investigators are sworn law enforcement officers (Special Agents) and are trained similarly to FBI agents. They carry firearms because they sometimes serve arrest warrants, conduct surveillance, and work in potentially dangerous environments.

When IRS-CI agents investigate criminal organizations, like drug cartels or organized crime, they may encounter people who are armed and dangerous. Being armed helps protect agents during raids, arrests, and confrontations. IRS-CI has existed since 1919 and has a strong track record of high-profile cases (they helped bring down Al Capone). Their use of force is extremely rare compared to other law enforcement agencies.

IRS-CI is a relatively small group (~3,000 employees total, with ~2,100 Special Agents), but it's standard for law enforcement divisions in other federal agencies (like the FBI, DEA, or Secret Service) to be armed. These agents operate under strict rules and oversight, and they don't carry weapons just for tax audits or collection.

Should Congress pass H.R.2915, to prohibit the Internal Revenue Service from providing firearms and ammunition to its employees?