Report: IRS Has Stockpile of Pepper Spray

The IRS has “a stockpile of oleoresin capsicum, better known as pepper spray,” according to a report published in the professional tax journal, Tax Notes.

The article did not provide the specific size of the “stockpile.” The IRS also told Tax Notes that the agency now owns 4,229 firearms and six million rounds of ammunition — an increase of one million rounds of ammo since public figures were released in 2018.

Republican members of congress have been trying to pry this information out of the IRS, but the IRS stonewalled even though it had the information at hand.

While ignoring members of congress, the IRS had no problem giving the information to reporters at Tax Notes. The information was “promptly” provided to the journalists.

Reporters Jonathan Curry and Doug Sword write:

“When asked for an update on IRS weaponry, Criminal Investigation division spokeswoman Carissa Cutrell promptly shared with Tax Notes that the agency has about 4,200 pistols, shotguns, and rifles and 6 million rounds of ammunition for those weapons.“

The article notes that the six million figure “represents a 21 percent increase in its stash of ammunition.”

Reporters Curry and Sword write that the gun and ammo data is current as of Nov. 28, specifically: “4,229 firearms — 3,180 pistols, 641 rifles, and 408 shotguns — and roughly 6 million rounds of ammo.”

IRS Commissioner Daniel Werfel — appointed by President Biden — had promised congress that he would be open and transparent, but that promise has not been fulfilled.

Sen. Joni Ernst (R-Iowa) and Rep. Matt Rosendale (R-Mont.) have proposed legislation to move the firearm functions out of the IRS.

The official IRS watchdog — the Treasury Inspector General for Tax Administration (TIGTA) — had previously audited the IRS’s firearms management and found several areas of negligence.

TIGTA said:

“Considering the gravity of carrying and using a firearm, there should be no margin for error in the firearms training and certification program. By not having effective procedures to ensure special agents are qualified to carry and use a firearm when needed, [IRS Criminal Investigation] CI risks endangering other special agents and the public. In addition, the IRS could be held liable for injuries or damage resulting from special agents using a firearm who have not met the required qualifications.”

President Biden and congressional Democrats increased the size and power of the IRS, with no new taxpayer protections.

In April 2023, the IRS was seeking to hire armed agents in all 50 states.

In August, an Arizona-based IRS agent was accidentally shot and killed during a training exercise.