Everyone that’s a shooting enthusiast, and otherwise interested in firearms for whatever reason, knows there’s currently an ammo shortage going on. I’ve wondered about it and done some research and looking. And yes, there’s lots of conspiracy theories for that too!
No, I don’t believe the government is responsible. They would not have a need or use for millions of rounds of .22 LR ammo. They have put a request to buy a large quantity of other ammunition, but it’s only a request, and not an actual buy. So kick out the conspiracy rants and let’s look at what’s really going on.
Beginning in 2008, when Obama got elected, things started getting tight on ammo. This was due to fears of what his anti-gun agenda might be. We all know that nothing materialized the first four years, and ammo could be purchased but supplies were spotty at best. Then the anti-gun rhetoric started after the mass shootings (no I don’t believe any conspiracy BS here either), this is where everything went crazy in the gun world.
Panic buying ensued and more guns have been sold in the last few months than anytime prior. We’re talking millions! With any new or used gun purchase, there’s a desire to buy ammo for it. I mean what good is a gun without ammo to shoot in it? So everyone wants to buy a quantity of ammo to go along with that new gun purchase. This was compounded with what was already a spotty supply, prior to the shootings.
Now comes the key to what has everything dried up. The NRA spelled it out real good in their latest magazine article on the subject. People are just plain buying more than they really need or would normally use!
The author of the article quotes an instance that rings true with what I’ve seen personally. A friend called him to say he’d just made a super score on 22 ammo! The local gun shop got in 5,000 rounds and he bought it all! The author asked him how many he would normally buy or need if there wasn’t a shortage going on, and the friend replied “probably about 500”.
This is classic panic buying at its best/worst! At our local Wal-Mart, before they put limits on, a guy that had just opened a shooting range came in and bought all the ammo they had because he couldn’t get any for people to use on his range from anywhere else. He is now charging about double from what it originally sold for! This brings us to the next point.
There are those that are buying everything they can get, so they can sell it for outrageous prices! Even components to reload ammo are getting scalped! It doesn’t take long to see this happening at unscrupulous gun shops and on the net. There has been no substantial price hikes from the manufacturers, only the dishonest sellers. I’ve seen bricks (500 rounds) of 22 ammo sell for $100 at times lately! I just bought some primers for reloading from a local honest dealer for $28.95 a carton. I’m seeing scalpers wanting $100 a carton currently!
I for one, am making a mental note to never deal with the scalpers when things die down. The ammo shortage is real, but perpetuated by the predictable panic buying mode and unscrupulous sellers. No, it’s not the law of supply and demand! It is artificial just like the supposed gas shortages. Folks have found out that they can get away with it, and make money. So they capitalize on it and go stronger with it.
The solution? Buy only what you need, and don’t pay those ridiculous prices to the bandits. Sure you might have to wait awhile before things calm back down to normal, but it’s the only way to fight back on this current BS!
Since writing this article, I’ve heard that more and more the Department of Homeland Security is coming under scrutiny for their excessive ammo purchases, and future intended purchases. This is rightfully so, as they are wanting to buy more than the military actually uses per person!
Is this a conspiracy? No, I think it’s a classic case of the ‘Good Ole Boy’ attitude by the DHS. They want to buy enough ammo that their agents can go out any time they choose and shoot all they want, as much as they want. Then, if they are shooting with a local LE or civil unit, they can give them some too as a kind of gratuity.
Boy, wouldn’t it be nice if we could have all the free ammo we wanted! Government waste at it’s best!
Interesting. Thank you, J!
I agree. If you do the math, what the government has put bids out on is not that much. I think hoarding and also buying ammo for all the new guns being sold has really taken its toll on supplies. I also think that the fact China is buying up copper and other scrap metals at all time record highs is driving down available materials for making ammo. I don’t pay the scalper prices and will also remember who they are once things settle down. Stay with good reliable companies that are charging a fair price.
I wrote this article a while back, and I’ve seen the supply on ammo get a tiny bit better. It’s still very spotty though. There are many rumors currently going on, one being a major manufacturer is hoarding 22s and will release them when they do a planned price hike in August. I’ve seen nothing to verify this, but based on how gas companies operate, it wouldn’t surprise me any.
I would not be surprised either John –
Rourke
You know, I’ve been giving this much thought, and, honestly? I’m troubled by my lack of honesty in my own response. While your “explanation” makes perfect sense to a degree, and, no doubt, is part of the answer, the idea that there is NO conspiracy involved at all I simply can not agree with. I trust you will give quarter to “disagreeing agreeably”! Mike, “The Natural Ranger” probably does a much better job of articulating:
http://www.naturalnews.com/041072_militarized_police_law_enforcement_paramilitary_training.html
While I’m not ready to get out my tinfoil hat, it is my opinion that it has been, indeed, orchestrated, for a nefarious purpose. But not one of us should be surprised, if we know His Word.
A great quote from one of my personal heroes, Albert Einstein, “Three great forces rule the world: stupidity, fear and greed.”
Many (if not most) companies are perfectly willing to take advantage of this by manipulating “supply and demand” even without a overall controlling authority.
We don’t need an overarching conspiracy theory to explain why a pizza delivery costs more on Superbowl Weekend than it does the rest of the year, either.
Occam’s Razor applies – “the simplest solution is most often correct”. “The Bavarian Creme Illuminati World Conspiracy forces me to raise prices, so only they can buy ammo, and take over” vs. “Dang, I’m gonna make a quick buck, because a lot of people think it will be in short supply. Book that vacation trip to the Bahamas…”
I hit ‘enter’ too fast, apologies – This does NOT rule out nefarious interference ‘from above’. It just gets aggravated by normal market pressure.
I think we’re saying the same thing, Wyz; but, I must confess – it sounds so much better the way you say it!
Thanks :)
I must admit that I use “The Bavarian Creme Illuminati” to refer to a lot of more-extreme conspiracy theories. Years ago, an acquaintance asked online if there was a secret message behind JFK’s famous, ungrammatical “Ich bin ein Berliner” speech, usually translated as “I am a jelly donut” vs. ” I am from Berlin – (Ich bin Berliner)”
I responded, in jest, “No, he definitely meant “I am a lager beer with strawberry syrup (also called “ein Berliner”). No one is, or has ever been, or could ever be any sort of donut. Totally impossible. Forget the whole idea, immediately.”
I signed it “Grandmaster W of the Bavarian Creme Illuminati” :)
Hilarious! Sprechen sie Deutch?
:) not really – I grew up in the Bronx (NYC) in the 50’s and 60’s, and my parents’ home-language was Canadian French (Latin-base – sort of an advantage) – if you wanted to get along, you picked up street-Spanish, street-Italian, street-Hungarian, street-German, street-Gaelic and street-Polish, or you never have a clue when buddies would invite you over for dinner. :)
Well, that explains it! A born “survivor”!