According to a new report, the Internal Revenue Service has spent more than $11 million over the past ten years on guns and ammunition. So, should you be worried? Not necessarily, although hearing the words "armed IRS" is certainly nerve wracking.
As noted in the report above, some IRS agents carry firearms when dealing with violent, dangerous identity thieves or gang members. Only agents from the Criminal Investigation Division are authorized to carry firearms, not your typical tax collector.
Regardless, skepticism and transparency about the practice is important.