Those pesky assault weapons

From The Blaze:

If �Assault Weapons� Are Bad�Why Does DHS Want to Buy 7,000 of Them for �Personal Defense�?
The Department of Homeland Security is seeking to acquire 7,000 5.56x45mm NATO �personal defense weapons� (PDW) � also known as �assault weapons� when owned by civilians. The solicitation, originally posted on June 7, 2012, comes to light as the Obama administration is calling for a ban on semi-automatic rifles and high capacity magazines.

Citing a General Service Administration (GSA) request for proposal (RFP), Steve McGough of RadioViceOnline.com reports that DHS is asking for the 7,000 �select-fire� firearms because they are �suitable for personal defense use in close quarters.� The term select-fire means the weapon can be both semi-automatic and automatic. Civilians are prohibited from obtaining these kinds of weapons.

The RFP describes the firearm as �Personal Defense Weapon (PDW) � 5.56x45mm NATO, select-fire firearm suitable for personal defense use in close quarters and/or when maximum concealment is required.� Additionally, DHS is asking for 30 round magazines that �have a capacity to hold thirty (30) 5.56x45mm NATO rounds.�

personal defense use in close quarters -- what are they expecting? The zombie apocalypse? These are fully automatic firearms -- the kind that has been forbidden to us citizens since the Gun Control Act of 1968. I guess that they don't want to feel left out -- after all, the Chicago office of the Department of Education recently (2010) purchased 27 shotguns and the IRS got 60 shotguns. Lest we forget, despite Obama's frequent comments that he is in favor of guns and goes shooting all the time, he has consistently voted against them and their manufacturers. Here is the canonical list of 21 with citations from Maggie's Farm. Here are the first five:

FACT: Barack Obama voted to allow reckless lawsuits designed to bankrupt the firearms industry.
FACT: Barack Obama wants to re-impose the failed and discredited Clinton Gun Ban.
FACT: Barack Obama voted to ban almost all rifle ammunition commonly used for hunting and sport shooting.
FACT: Barack Obama has endorsed a complete ban on handgun ownership.
FACT: Barack Obama supports local gun bans in Chicago, Washington, D.C., and other cities.

Sixteen more at the site...