The run on firearms since mid-December has been accompanied by an equal frenzy to purchase ammunition as gun owners are not only stocking up, but quietly expressing some concerns about reports that the government is also buying lots of ammunition.
Breitbart has reported that federal agencies have purchased 2 billion rounds of ammunition, and USA Today has even noted the ammunition shortage. A chat with Wade’s Indoor Gun Range and gun shop in Bellevue early Tuesday confirmed that some people are having a hard time finding ammunition in certain calibers, most notably 9mm and .22 Long Rifle.
KOMO asked the same question of Wade Gaughran, who owns the Bellevue gun range. They got the same answer this column did. People fearful of new gun control legislation that may impact ammunition supplies are stocking up.
Reports, one might suggest, breed hoarding and hording breeds more reports of ammunition shortages, and so forth. It becomes something of a spiral; a self-fulfilling prophecy.
This weekend’s upcoming Puyallup gun show, sponsored by the Washington Arms Collectors, should see even more ammunition sales despite rising prices. Some call it gouging, others see it as a natural result of the law of supply and demand. As demand goes up and supplies go down, prices rise.
It is not clear what federal agencies need 2 billion rounds of ammunition for, but if that is being used in training, the public might wonder what those federal officers are training for.
With all of that ammunition buying by the feds, one might also ask how local law enforcement agencies are going to maintain their level of training as well. Ammunition companies are cranking out cartridges as fast as possible.
Gaughran told KOMO that shooters should calm down and only buy the ammunition they need.
From all indications, it appears many people think they are going to need a lot.
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