Assault Rifle or Personal Defensive Weapon?

In the words of Al Gore, "the debate is over".  Here are excerpts from the Department of Homeland Security Statement of Work (in other words, a request for bids).  You can read the whole thing here.

The scope of this contract is to provide a total of up to 7,000 5.56x45mm North Atlantic Treaty Organization (NATO) personal defense weapons (PDW)

General. DHS and its components have a requirement for a 5.56x45mm NATO, select-fire firearm suitable for personal defense use in close quarters and/or when maximum concealment is required. Only one specific nomenclature firearm from each Contractor shall be submitted for solicitation testing and considered for contract award.

3.9.10 The action shall be capable of accepting all standard NATO STANAG 20 and 30 round M16 magazines (NSN 1005-00-921-5004) and Magpul 30 round PMAG (NSN 1005-01-576-5159). The magazine well shall be designed to allow easy insertion of a magazine.
3.9.11 The receiver top shall be equipped with an integral MIL-STD-1913 Picatinny rail for mounting sights and other accessories.
3.10 Fire Control Selector.
3.10.1 The fire control selector shall have three positions; safe, semi-automatic, and automatic. The selector shall have positions which are clearly labeled for the mode of fire.
3.10.2 The selector shall operate manually without binding from one position to another when the hammer is cocked.
3.10.3 The selector shall remain in place in each position under spring detent.
3.10.4 The selector shall be capable of being checked for position both visually and by feel.
3.10.5 The selector shall be movable between the mode of fire positions by the operator without moving the firing hand from the shooting position.
3.10.6 The selector shall be designed to allow for operation by left and right handed shooters with no parts changes or modification.
3.12 Overall Length.
3.12.1 The overall length of the firearm shall not exceed 30 inches with the stock fully extended.
3.12.2 The overall length of the firearm shall not exceed 20 inches with the stock fully retracted and/or folded.
3.14.3 The barrel shall be equipped with a flash suppressor and/or muzzle brake. The muzzle device will be rated on its ability to reduce muzzle signature. It is desired that the muzzle devise effectively reduces muzzle rise during firing.
3.15 Caliber. The firearm shall be chambered for 5.56x45mm NATO.
3.16 Pistol Grip.
3.16.1 The pistol grip shall be a fixed, vertical pistol grip constructed of a durable material.
3.16.2 The pistol grip shall be designed for use by right or left handed shooters.

And a little observation from The Market Ticker

If the government needs 7,000 Personal Defensive Weapons that can accept and use standard 30 round magazines, possesses a folding stock, are chambered in 5.56 NATO, have a flash suppressor/muzzle brake and have a pistol grip (not to mention being capable of select-fire) then the people can certainly have one or more of them for themselves -- right?  After all this is a Personal Defensive Weapon by the Government's own official, on-the-record declaration!

Read his whole post here.