Shortage Of Ammunition: Demand Is Up Despite Drop In Crime Rate

washingtonpost.com:

In a year of job losses, foreclosures and bag lunches, Americans have spent record-breaking amounts of money on guns and ammunition. The most obvious sign of their demand: empty ammunition shelves.

Read the whole story: washingtonpost.com

Comments

[mike102]

Sorry. Make that ABC News.

[mike102]

On ABS News RIGHT NOW:

At least 12 killed and 31 wounded in a shooting at Fort Hood.

http://abcnews.go.com/WN/soldiers-killed-fort-hood-shooting/story?id=9007938

Allegedly, the shooter was an officer, probably a Major.

How's that for 'credibility', leeclayton?

Let's all say a prayer for these poor people. Their men are in Iraq.

[LtBromhead]

I just saw that. At the end of the report, Charlie Gibson said that the shooter was taken out by civilian police officers who were on base.

[SchecterDV4]

Good Lord, what a tragedy. Some of the victims were about to ship out to Iraq.

I salute the civilian LEO who stopped this madman.

My prayers go out to the victims and their families.

[leeclayton]

How does repeating what you saw on the news give you credibility?

[mike102]

I wasn't referring to my credibility, not that I need prove any credibility to you.

I was referring to the alleged credibility you seem to think automatically goes with military service.

Troll on that for a while, sonny.

[HisXLNC]

I think he's talking about those who use their service in the military as a magical source of instant credibility on all matters involving guns.

[benEzra]

The VAST majority of ammunition purchased is expended in training and in target shooting, both recreational and competitive.

I'm not sure why the media keep rediscovering the short ammunition supply and thinking this is "new". As I've pointed out plenty of times on DU and here, the tight ammo market dates from *2005*, when post-Katrina hedging collided with Iraq war demand. The supply got even tighter in 2008 due to concern over the possibility of new 1990's style ammunition import restrictions, leading to increased hedging, and the sharp increase in new gun sales (driven by concerns over a new AWB) squeezed supply further, but that was still a year ago and the supply is starting to come back now. My local Wal-Mart finally has the value-packs of 9mm target ammunition again.

I suppose in another two months, we'll have another story about this "new" development...

[OdinsEye]

No doubt it will get trotted out several more times.

[leeclayton]

Just how many times may depend on whether or not America makes peace with the notion of an African-American President.

[mike102]

"Demand is up despite drop in crime rate"

The crime rate in the US increased 313% (per 100,000 residents) from 1960 to 2005, according to the FBI Uniform Crime Report. Real gun control started in '68.

Think about it. The crime rate has a long way to go before I'll rely on anyone but myself for protection from criminals.

[mike102]

"Too many crackheaded crazys out there including right-wing extremists with assault weapons, I'm not going to become a victim if I can help it." ~kimleehan

A victim of what? According to the FBI, only about 2.9% of crimes involving guns involve rifles of any kind. VERY few of these crimes are comitted by "right-wing extremists. Let's do some research before we all hide under the bed at once.

"A Gun nu t salesman.....the mag gots, have arrived" "Good,,that makes two of us,,,,I don't want or need a gun. And I travel all over this country, and few others as well." ~austin4

Really? Ever been to North Philly? Or how about 'Gun Free Chicago'? I lived in the Gold Coast for a year and a half, and I could hear the crack-headed gangbangers shooting eachother at Cabrini Green every Friday night. I guess nobody told them about the gun ban. Their homicide rate exceeded 500 last year. I guess criminals don't obey gun laws.

I'm a registered, liberal-leaning Democrat. So are about half the gun owners in the US.

Since the police are not legally obligated to protect individuals, you need to consider the possibility that you just might have to protect your family yourself some day. When I lived in 'Gun Free Chicago', I called 911 twice on a Tuesday afternoon, to report a crime in progress.

Nobody answered the phone.

[Godweiser]

OdinsEye I'm a Fan of OdinsEye 57 fans permalink

If you don't like it, don't dish it out.

--

I suppose you imagine some sort of outrage on my part, though I would point out that such a thing no doubt suits your fantasies of validation rather than reflects the reality. In short, 'bring it on.' I'm hardly worried about anything you might have to say. I've been insulted by pros.

Meanwhile, I'll derive a very real satisfaction that you missed the pun that came in response to your own. Watching someone fall on their own sword is amusing.

[OdinsEye]

Imagine what you will, but you are wrong.

[mike102]

"Fantasies of validation?"

OE is an experienced LEO (COP to you). That sounds pretty valid to me.

What validates you?

[leeclayton]

Where I live, experienced LEOs are known largely for their racism and corruption.

[gregcha]

The reason why people are buying more ammo is because there is stockpiling taking place. Alot of people think that the world is going to hell. While I always thought that this is just not possible in the U.S., lately I've been thinking that if things get worse, and there is a accelerated decline in the living standard for the middle class, the pitchforks may come out for real. Short of martial law, no one else is going to protect you so you may very well have to do it yourself.

[mike102]

I think a lot of the demand also has to do with the fact that gun sales are up.

[happygeek84]

Just curious, what's your definition of stockpiling? I mean, I usually have enough protein bars on hand to last me for months, I have enough books on WWII on my bookshelf to fill that section of a small town library, my wife likes to shop at Costco, oh, and between me and the wife we have 3 vehicles and 5 computers (we had 6 but gave one away). Heck, according to the way many Germans shop for food, we [and most other Costco shoppers] are stockpiling food for a nuclear holocaust.

I am a hoarder by nature, I'll go ahead and admit that right now. Last deployment, I had to stop myself from ordering more protein bars and protein powder almost 2 months before I left for the states, and I still had almost a month's supply to give away when I left. (I was going to the gym literally every day while I was there, not much else to do.)

[happygeek84]

Dang, my posts keep going over the word minimum. But ... I'll keep explaining myself and trying to make a logical argument rather than sound bites and snide comments.

So, I tend to buy ammo in bulk if I can. It's cheaper per round to buy a 500 round box then it is to buy a bunch of 50 round boxes. That, and the store I shop at sells bulk packs of milsurplus that's considerably cheaper than factory ammo. That, and I don't feel like hitting up the store every time I want to go to the range. Do you want to go to the supermarket every night prior to making dinner? (See my earlier comment on Costco in the states vs the way many Germans shop for food.)

[leeclayton]

Most other cultures shop for dinner daily. Most other cultures are also less obese, and, incidentally, less victimized by gun violence than we are.

[kimleehan]

Ladies I recommend the S/W model 438, It conceals very nicely in your front pocket and can be fired from inside your pocket five times without snagging, You just put your hands in your pocket whenever you perceive danger, nobody knows anything, after the danger passes you take your hand out of your pocket, check it out, you'll want one.

[leeclayton]

Best thing about it is it makes a bulge for those of you who are missing one.

[djcrsn]

same old debunked stuff from another hoplophobe

[Berettasskeeter]

Still fixated on male genitalia, huh?
Semper fi

[happygeek84]

Only if you employ the method of carry that Val Kilmer did in the movie Kiss Kiss Bang Bang, where he hid a NAA 22 Magnum mini revolver in his boxers. In his words "homo-phoebes never search there". Worked out ok for him in the movie, but then we all know how movies are.

That was a really good movie by the way, very different from pretty much any other movie I've seen. I'd highly recommend seeing it if you haven't.

But, if you go with pocket carry, small of the back, IWB, etc. then you're SOL on making an attractive bulge. If that's really the effect you're going for, a sock would be a lot cheaper, and legal pretty much anywhere you'd go, no fingerprin­ting/backg­round check/permit needed.

[leeclayton]

You mean Cheney?

[Godweiser]

Yeah, that's an actual working carry piece, not a fetishistic peener-extender.

[djcrsn]

As a vet you should know better

[looneybin]

who voted to renew it while they were in the senate?

Reply Favorite Flag as abusive Posted 03:12 PM on 11/03/2009
- + confidance government I'm a Fan of confidance government I'm a fan of this user 24 fans permalink
traitors

------

you mean traitors like obama?

[austin4]

And the Traitor/ War Crim nal, Bush was the President who came up with that Law ,,against the American people.

[austin4]

Who was President when the Law was written?

[looneybin]

congress writes and pass laws little buddy not the president, he signs them

[Tim303]

The extreme right wants to foment war.

[looneybin]

oh no you figured us out!! you fellas is just so smart

[Godweiser]

I'm not sure of that as much as I am sure certain elements in the political elite of the right really want to keep guns as a divisive issues, and part of that is sticking the kooks front and center of any gun debate and letting the more levelheaded programs and organizations go unnoticed in the furor. It keeps liberals worried about gun owners (reinforced by seeing the wild eyed guy the news decided to air in defense of the 2nd) and conservatives worried that worried liberals will want to restrict ownership.

And then the cycle goes on and on.

As opposed to a country like Switzerland where everyone has a weapon, everyone knows how to operate it and the fetishizing empowerement is not there because firearms are completely demystified and familiar. Understanding of how the weapon works allows people to better gauge what sort of safety restrictions ought to be applied.

The leadership of the right wing knows that if they turn firearms into an icon with emotional power rather than the tools that they are, they can turn it into an issue. And then they can make sure they keep people in their pocket.

[confidance government]

Spot on.

[djcrsn]

And much of the problem comes from those demanding complete civilian disarmament

[austin4]

Yep,,you are right,,but they will be shocked.

[mackbolan]

RSKaz I'm a Fan of RSKaz I'm a fan of this user 24 fans permalink
photo

And you really need a lesson in reading comprehension, Odin. Again, cite one single proposal Obama has put forth as president that threatens legal gun ownership. Take your time, I'm reloading.
Reply Favorite Flag as abusive Posted 03:02 PM on 11/03/200
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obama is a coward along with the other liberals in congress...they are scared to take on the 80 million gun owners because they will face retribution at the pollls the way clinton did....as far as his hatred of guns goes...all one has to do is look up his voting record or what he has said on the public record...if i said sarah palin was anti-gun and hated the nra and supported gun bans how long would it take you libs to disprove that....

[austin4]

Like I stated: You are welcome to point the busy end of your gun, and it wouldn't hurt my feeling, at all.

[looneybin]

I know english isn't the native language in austin4 land (It appears gibberish is) but it is called the business end, not the busy end.

[mackbolan]

i am on my way to work so i don't have time to rebut your emotional rants....but odin and dj and julie and allie will be more than happy to oblige you.....just ask sewanee leftist and dreamweaver and shedances and prayforroy....

[OdinsEye]

Again, this story is OLD NEWS.

Ammo shortages have been going on for at least 3 years. This is due to the ammo manufacturers shifting production lines to meet military needs. Police departments across the US have been feeling the pinch for several years now.

This created a hollow spot in the supply of commercial ammo.

[mackbolan]

it must be a slow news day odin....we both commented on this same article a month ago on huffpo...something about americans locked but not necessarily loaded.....

[confidance government]

"Many are the same people who don't mind the government tapping their phone lines because they have nothing to hide."

I have a big problem giving the state this sort of power (without the protection of warrants obtained from a judge) because it will abuse it. GWB, anyone? Its not about having nothing to hide, its about keeping the state in check.

[austin4]

Well, the Patriot Act,,,was design for that exact reason,,,and Who was President at that time?

[djcrsn]

both are unconstitutional

[Topsailsman]

Why are conservatives cowardly? They are afraid of everything. Afraid of terrorists. Afraid of Obama. Afraid of healthcare reform. Afraid of homosexuals. Afraid of illegal immigrants. Afraid of criminals that might attack them.

Having a gun don't make you brave. It just makes you a coward with a gun. I have several guns for hunting, and they are safely locked up until I go into the woods. I don't need to carry a gun, because I am not afraid. I have lived in bad neighborhoods, taken trains every day through the worst neighborhoods in town, walked the last mile home from the transit station. I have lived in the country where it would take deputies 20 minutes to get to my house. I am not a coward.

[OdinsEye]

What does anything your wrote have to do with anything?

[leeclayton]

Ten words, two of them the same. Why would they all be spelled correctly?

[austin4]

You should read what you type,,before you post it....

[HisXLNC]

If you're not a coward, why own guns for hunting? Why not take on Bambi with your bare hands?

[mike102]

PS- I should point out that when Mrs. Petit and her daughters were murdered, police had been on the scene for over 30 minutes. They were too busy trying to set up roadblocks, and waiting for the Staties to send a SWAT team, to do anything for the victims.

So, even if the police arrive on time, they are sometimes still too late.

[mike102]

I'm not a conservative, but a gun owning Lefty. I consider it cowardly to be unwilling to defend your own life, or the lives of your family with the most effective means at your disposal.

Nor do I consider conservatives 'cowardly'. But, you'r entitled to your opinion, no matter how wrong it is.

What we ARE afraid of are criminals like this.
http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/19957752/

Perhaps Dr. Petit's family would be alive if he was a gun-owning 'coward'.

And why do you need a gun when you go into the woods? Scared of bunny rabbits, are ya?

The 2nd Amendment ain't about hunting, pal.

[leeclayton]

But, but, you might live 20 minutes away from the police, but one of the gun rights guys here lived in Chicago, right in the belly of the beast, for a year and a half! Can you even imagine how that could harden a person. It's a miracle he even survived. I don't know how he did it. I guess I could check with my 76-year-old aunt, come to think of it. She lives about 5 blocks from where he did.

[mike102]

Yeah, I lived in the Belly of the Beast, Rosie.

I saw cars and businesses being broken into, often in braod daylight. My business partner and I were nearly mugged by a couple of gangbangers from Cabrini Green. We turned out to be badder than they were. They mistook us for Yuppies.

My Pizza delivery guy was mugged in front of my building at 1000 N. Lasalle, right in front of the doorman, who was too gutless to even try to call 911. Maybe he knew they wouldn't answer the phone anyway.

I have lived in and around Philadelphia the rest of the time. I was mugged by 4 underprivelaged, downtrodden inner-city youths (not pleasant), and was injured. I have had several near misses since then. That's a good thing for the miscreants, because after the first time, I was armed.

I'm glad your grandmother has never had a problem, though. She probably doesn't get out much after dark.

[brady61995]

the headline should be , shortage of intelligence causes massive ammo buy up

[austin4]

That would have been a better Headline,,,Yes I agree

[OdinsEye]

Ammo shortages have been going on for more than 3 years. One of the factors is a hollow spot in the supply of ammo caused by the manufacturers shifting production to meet military needs.