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I know, you are probably thinking like I am after reading the title, “You’ve got to be kidding!” I’m not. Even after the Department of Homeland Security indicated that they had nearly 264 million rounds of ammunition back near the end of November 2012, they have sent out an email to Border Patrol agents yesterday informing them that they will not be issued any new proficiency ammunition for next quarter.

Townhall obtained an email sent to Border Patrol agents stationed in the El Centro border sector by a supervisor:

Enforcement Personnel,

Due to budget concerns and ammunition availability, we will not be getting issued any proficiency ammunition for next quarter.  In addition to these reductions, we are also being limited to qualification ammo only.   What this means to you is that you will not receive the normal 150 rounds for practice and we will not have any extra ammunition for a combat course following normal qualifications.

If you have the ammunition available and would like extra practice during your qualification day, the firearms instructors will have a training course available for Indio Station Personnel, keeping in mind basic marksmanship skills as well as tactical training with a limited amount of ammunition.  You are not required to bring your own ammunition.

If you do not have extra ammo to bring, you will be given extra time to clean and maintain your issued handgun as well as station long arms.

If you have any questions about this quarters (sic) quals please feel free to send me your concerns.

Thanks.

According to my previous calculations, not only did DHS inform Tom Coburn that they had an inventory at that time of nearly 264 million round of ammunition (figure that was 73% of the previous three years purchases), but they had also budgeted over $37 million to be spent on ammunition in fiscal year 2013.