Bill Overview
Title: A bill to require the sale of ammunition stockpiled by the Internal Revenue Service.
Description: This bill requires the General Services Administration to sell to the public any ammunition purchased or stockpiled by or for the use of the Internal Revenue Service.
Sponsors: Sen. Marshall, Roger [R-KS]
Target Audience
Population: People interested in purchasing ammunition
Estimated Size: 80000000
- The bill concerns the sale of ammunition stockpiled by the IRS to the public, indicating it targets consumers who purchase ammunition.
- Potential buyers are likely to include firearm owners, gun-related hobbyists, sports shooting enthusiasts, and possibly ammunition retailers.
- The sale could affect ammunition market dynamics, potentially impacting pricing and availability.
- As the IRS is a U.S. entity, the immediate impact would be within the United States.
Reasoning
- The policy involves the sale of IRS ammunition to the public, which primarily affects firearm owners, hobbyists, and ammunition retailers, potentially altering market dynamics by changing supply and prices.
- Given the American population where one-third of adults own guns, the potential interest group could be very large.
- The policy's limited budget suggests a focus on a modest portion of the ammunition market. The overall impact on wellbeing scores will likely be small, increasing satisfaction among those directly benefitting from easier access to ammunition while potentially causing concern among those worried about increased availability.
- The interviews include diverse perspectives, from individuals supportive of increased access to those worried about safety implications.
Simulated Interviews
Police Officer (Texas)
Age: 30 | Gender: male
Wellbeing Before Policy: 7
Duration of Impact: 5.0 years
Commonness: 10/20
Statement of Opinion:
- I think this policy could make ammunition more available and maybe even cheaper for law-abiding citizens like me.
- It might help me practice more often without worrying about escalating costs.
Wellbeing Over Time (With vs Without Policy)
| Year | With Policy | Without Policy |
|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | 7 | 7 |
| Year 2 | 8 | 7 |
| Year 3 | 8 | 7 |
| Year 5 | 7 | 6 |
| Year 10 | 7 | 6 |
| Year 20 | 6 | 6 |
School Teacher (California)
Age: 45 | Gender: female
Wellbeing Before Policy: 5
Duration of Impact: 5.0 years
Commonness: 8/20
Statement of Opinion:
- I am concerned about even more ammunition being sold to the public, potentially increasing risks.
- While I support legal and responsible gun ownership, I hope there will be strict controls on who can purchase.
Wellbeing Over Time (With vs Without Policy)
| Year | With Policy | Without Policy |
|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | 4 | 5 |
| Year 2 | 4 | 5 |
| Year 3 | 3 | 5 |
| Year 5 | 3 | 4 |
| Year 10 | 3 | 4 |
| Year 20 | 2 | 3 |
Ammunition Retailer (Ohio)
Age: 35 | Gender: male
Wellbeing Before Policy: 6
Duration of Impact: 10.0 years
Commonness: 5/20
Statement of Opinion:
- I worry this policy could impact my business by altering ammunition prices or increasing competition if many buy directly from the sale.
- On the other hand, it might increase overall interest in shooting sports, which might help in the long run.
Wellbeing Over Time (With vs Without Policy)
| Year | With Policy | Without Policy |
|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | 5 | 6 |
| Year 2 | 6 | 6 |
| Year 3 | 7 | 6 |
| Year 5 | 7 | 5 |
| Year 10 | 8 | 5 |
| Year 20 | 6 | 5 |
Software Developer (New York)
Age: 27 | Gender: female
Wellbeing Before Policy: 6
Duration of Impact: 3.0 years
Commonness: 12/20
Statement of Opinion:
- Policies leading to more ammunition sales worry me due to potential risks.
- However, if it means more people are legally purchasing and registering ammo, it might not be too negative.
Wellbeing Over Time (With vs Without Policy)
| Year | With Policy | Without Policy |
|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | 5 | 6 |
| Year 2 | 6 | 6 |
| Year 3 | 6 | 6 |
| Year 5 | 5 | 6 |
| Year 10 | 5 | 5 |
| Year 20 | 5 | 5 |
Retired (Wyoming)
Age: 60 | Gender: male
Wellbeing Before Policy: 8
Duration of Impact: 8.0 years
Commonness: 7/20
Statement of Opinion:
- I fully support this policy if it makes ammunition more affordable for people like me who hunt regularly.
- As long as it's safe and legitimate, I'm all for it.
Wellbeing Over Time (With vs Without Policy)
| Year | With Policy | Without Policy |
|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | 9 | 8 |
| Year 2 | 8 | 8 |
| Year 3 | 8 | 7 |
| Year 5 | 8 | 7 |
| Year 10 | 7 | 6 |
| Year 20 | 6 | 6 |
College Student (Florida)
Age: 22 | Gender: female
Wellbeing Before Policy: 7
Duration of Impact: 10.0 years
Commonness: 10/20
Statement of Opinion:
- I think it could benefit my family business if people get more interested in purchasing ammunition.
- It's important that it's done safely, though.
Wellbeing Over Time (With vs Without Policy)
| Year | With Policy | Without Policy |
|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | 8 | 7 |
| Year 2 | 8 | 6 |
| Year 3 | 8 | 6 |
| Year 5 | 9 | 6 |
| Year 10 | 9 | 6 |
| Year 20 | 7 | 5 |
Gun Safety Instructor (Illinois)
Age: 40 | Gender: male
Wellbeing Before Policy: 7
Duration of Impact: 6.0 years
Commonness: 9/20
Statement of Opinion:
- If the policy means more people can access ammunition responsibly, it might increase demand for safety training, which is positive.
- However, it needs to ensure security and control mechanisms.
Wellbeing Over Time (With vs Without Policy)
| Year | With Policy | Without Policy |
|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | 7 | 7 |
| Year 2 | 7 | 7 |
| Year 3 | 7 | 7 |
| Year 5 | 6 | 6 |
| Year 10 | 6 | 6 |
| Year 20 | 5 | 6 |
Lobbyist (Washington)
Age: 50 | Gender: female
Wellbeing Before Policy: 5
Duration of Impact: 5.0 years
Commonness: 7/20
Statement of Opinion:
- This policy could potentially increase risks if not managed correctly.
- I would advocate for strict regulations around the sales to ensure public safety.
Wellbeing Over Time (With vs Without Policy)
| Year | With Policy | Without Policy |
|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | 4 | 5 |
| Year 2 | 4 | 5 |
| Year 3 | 3 | 5 |
| Year 5 | 3 | 4 |
| Year 10 | 3 | 4 |
| Year 20 | 2 | 4 |
Construction Worker (Arizona)
Age: 34 | Gender: male
Wellbeing Before Policy: 8
Duration of Impact: 8.0 years
Commonness: 10/20
Statement of Opinion:
- I support access to more affordable ammunition for enthusiasts.
- It enhances my ability to train and compete effectively.
Wellbeing Over Time (With vs Without Policy)
| Year | With Policy | Without Policy |
|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | 9 | 8 |
| Year 2 | 8 | 7 |
| Year 3 | 9 | 7 |
| Year 5 | 9 | 7 |
| Year 10 | 8 | 6 |
| Year 20 | 7 | 5 |
Retail Manager (Virginia)
Age: 55 | Gender: female
Wellbeing Before Policy: 6
Duration of Impact: 4.0 years
Commonness: 15/20
Statement of Opinion:
- If the sale benefits government budgets and involves responsible buyers, I see no issue.
- More use of proper procedures around purchase.
Wellbeing Over Time (With vs Without Policy)
| Year | With Policy | Without Policy |
|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | 6 | 6 |
| Year 2 | 7 | 6 |
| Year 3 | 7 | 6 |
| Year 5 | 6 | 6 |
| Year 10 | 5 | 5 |
| Year 20 | 5 | 5 |
Cost Estimates
Year 1: $5000000 (Low: $3000000, High: $7000000)
Year 2: $2000000 (Low: $1000000, High: $4000000)
Year 3: $1000000 (Low: $500000, High: $2500000)
Year 5: $0 (Low: $0, High: $1000000)
Year 10: $0 (Low: $0, High: $500000)
Year 100: $0 (Low: $0, High: $0)
Key Considerations
- The administrative costs associated with processing and managing ammunition sales through government infrastructure.
- Significant potential for variability in revenue due to changes in market prices or conditions.
- Potential legal and compliance concerns associated with selling government-owned ammunition to the public.
- Impact on existing commercial ammunition markets could be unpredictable, influencing overall market behavior.