Interesting that Newsweek would publish an article on the ammo shortage

[hso]

Firearms sales in the U.S. soared in 2020. Whether the broad spike in purchases was motivated by the new coronavirus pandemic, anti-racism protests, upcoming election or something else is debated, but both vendors and researchers have reported rising demand for the better part of this year.

Additional analyses note ammunition sales rose more significantly than gun sales alone. Ammunition manufacturers are reporting backlogs as a result of elevated demand, and some suggest shortages could last until at least January.

https://www.newsweek.com/why-there-ammunition-shortage-us-1536392

Why Is There an Ammunition Shortage in the U.S.?
By Emily Czachor On 10/5/20 at 11:05 AM EDT



Firearms sales in the U.S. soared in 2020. Whether the broad spike in purchases was motivated by the new coronavirus pandemic, anti-racism protests, upcoming election or something else is debated, but both vendors and researchers have reported rising demand for the better part of this year.

Additional analyses note ammunition sales rose more significantly than gun sales alone. Ammunition manufacturers are reporting backlogs as a result of elevated demand, and some suggest shortages could last until at least January.

Ammo Incorporated, an ammunition manufacturer based in Scottsdale, Arizona, is one of the most recent vendors to confirm a significant backlog due to heightened demand from consumers. Last week, the company said its backlogged orders amounted to $80.1 million in purchases as of August 31, which set a new record after months of increasing numbers.

"Our record backlog has continued to grow, with booked orders coming in across all channels, including commercial, export, military, and law enforcement," said Fred Wagenhals, the CEO at Ammo Incorporated, in a statement released on September 28.

"In fact, [the Federal Bureau of Investigation's National Instant Criminal Background Check System] data shows federal background checks for purchasing firearms have increased 72% year-over-year and we don't anticipate consumer demand for firearms or ammunition slowing anytime soon," Wagenhals' statement continued. "As a result, our facilities continue to operate at near maximum capacity to meet customer needs and we are continuing to expand our production capabilities."

Other ammunition manufacturers reported similar upticks in purchases over the summer. Jacob Long, a spokesperson for Widener's Reloading and Shooting Supply, told the National Rifle Association's (NRA) news outlet Shooting Illustrated that "inventory [was] extremely tight" in July. At the time, Long said, "it's clear suppliers are struggling to keep up with demand right now."

 

[Old Dog]

Expect Time magazine to chime in with a one-upper news story...

Hopefully, increasing publicity in the MSM about this issue will rattle some anti-gun faction cages, but more importantly perhaps, make some of the populace actually think about what's going on around them.

Because it seems to me that the only folks who understand there's an "ammunition shortage" and "gun shortage" are those trying to buy guns and ammo.

 

[Waveski]

I think I'll just drive by this thread...

 

[roscoe]

This is a pretty widely recognized phenomenon right now. The line for guns at Brass pro Shop has been dozens long every time I have been there recently. A lot of folks you might not associate with gun ownership. Probably good for RKBA, really.

 

[Ignition Override]

The manager of the gun counter at the nearby Academy Sports told me today what I suspected, but didn't actually expect:

...the same group of 20 or 25 guys are there every Mon-Wed-Fri. when the store opens.
He also said that they clean out the shelves (some Academies don't enforce the quotas very well). This, and some "inside trading" were reportedly extremely common at Walmarts in late '08 and after Newtown.
And Walmart had a phone app for ammo deliveries.

So glad that most of us were 'self-directed' Before the 2008 election. Yes, suppliers' contracts, first-time owners, und so weiter.

Man....ammo flipping...what a class act for one's Mon-Wed-Fri. My thanks to "Slingblade's" Billy Bob Thornton.

 

[kidneyboy]

From the article (Yes, I clicked on a Newsweek article so you don't have to) -
FBI - 28.8 million background checks through September. 72% increase year over year.
NSSF - US ammunition purchases increased by 139% in first six months of 2020 vs 2019.

The author apparently can't call riots "riots"

 

[CDW4ME]

One of the comments said there is no ammo shortage online, missing a disclaimer about the price.

 

[mmb617]

One of the comments said there is no ammo shortage online, missing a disclaimer about the price.

That's the truth. You can buy anything you want if you're willing to pay insane prices.

 

[SweaterBones]

I’m glad I was stocked up enough to not pay the current online prices. I like seeing the articles about the shortage getting out there though. More people hearing about it should increase the number of gun owners. A sort of “guns are getting hard to find, I better buy one” type thing.

 

[Dunross]

Well, sooner or later it was going to be noticed by the media. I don't see this getting any better until late winter or early spring.

If more media report on this it's going to get worse before it gets better.

 

[shootstraight57]

I have been watching the prices of .556 ammo and from last year it increased by 110% at PSA.

 

[jmr40]

Hopefully, increasing publicity in the MSM about this issue will rattle some anti-gun faction cages, but more importantly perhaps, make some of the populace actually think about what's going on around them.

It already has. Many of the new gun and ammo buyers are 1st time gun owners. There is no appetite right now politically for restricting guns. I'm not terribly concerned about any type or gun ban after the election regardless of who wins.

Public opinion for more gun control has never been strong. There are only a handful of hard core anti-gun folk out there. The majority in the middle have traditionally been easily swayed one way or another depending on the political winds and high profile mass shootings . But an awful lot of those folks are starting to understand why guns are important.

 

[buck460XVR]

It's just current news that appeals to a broad segment of the market.

 

[Kleanbore]

Many of the new gun and ammo buyers are 1st time gun owners. There is no appetite right now politically for restricting guns.

The second does not follow from the first.

I'm not terribly concerned about any type or gun ban after the election regardless of who wins.

Ban? Maybe a low priority, but other things in the platform are awful.

 

[lsudave]

You know, I like this coming out mainstream. Newsweek publishing it is acknowledgement that there are lots of gun owners, and their concerns are relevant issues. I'm not expecting much, but I do have one small hope-

One of the comments said there is no ammo shortage online, missing a disclaimer about the price.

people are internet savvy, I suspect more people read things online than in print anymore. Comments like this will be read and processed by corporate minds, just like the buying surge has been.

Just like every other purchasable, ammo has been migrating to online sources for convenient order-from-home purchases. And also (hopefully) if they look, just like most other things, if you needed it NOW, the best place to pick some up for a good price was... Walmart- until recently. Walmarts are everywhere, and their prices have always remained competitive, even if their selections haven't. Online sources had to make it worth your while not to just get some there when you go buy some groceries and stuff.
Ironically, Walmart has dropped a lot (but not all) ammo sales due to political pressure, and thus they don't carry the calibers that are now in huge demand. They still do carry some rifle ammo, and just yesterday I picked up some Federal 30-30. $15 for a box of 20, I got 4 boxes. That's pre-covid prices, the online prices are double that.

If the gun surge can inspire Walmart to get back into the game, it only helps the consumer. They can sell things cheap and afford not to jack prices up, and force others (including the online market) to match them to compete. I don't know if Academy/Bass Pro/Cabela's has the pull, or the desire, to do that.

 

[huntsman]

Well it is news or should be at this volume.

During the previous administration gun and ammo sales were robust, So I guess this time it’s different at least to MSM?

 

[climbnjump]

There is no appetite right now politically for restricting guns.

Perhaps among the "regular folks".

But among the people who normally salivate over firearm restrictions, the appetite for such things is never sated.

They are simply waiting for the table to be reset before they begin feasting.

What will be on the menu may be more locally grown than nationally distributed, but depending on how next month's elections go, some of us might just be in for a real food fight.

 

[Hartkopf]

Unfortunately, the media is so out of control and sinister that we should assume the worst. Everything is a set up for the next narrative.

 

[wally]

If you think there is a run on guns and ammo now, you ain't seen nothing yet if Harris-Biden wins.

Maybe we can survive if the Republicans hold on to the Senate, but there are more than enough RINOs to count on that.

We need to get out the vote for our side!

 

[Steve S.]

I would suggest that ammo prices are not anywhere near ridiculous if you need it; think about a critical need moment for only one round of 9mm - $10 per round, $100 per round, $1000 per round in that critical need moment, to remain the one standing - is an absolute steal. All value is relative.

 

[BlueHeelerFl]

The manager of the gun counter at the nearby Academy Sports told me today what I suspected, but didn't actually expect:

...the same group of 20 or 25 guys are there every Mon-Wed-Fri. when the store opens.
He also said that they clean out the shelves (some Academies don't enforce the quotas very well). This, and some "inside trading" were reportedly extremely common at Walmarts in late '08 and after Newtown.
And Walmart had a phone app for ammo deliveries.

So glad that most of us were 'self-directed' Before the 2008 election. Yes, suppliers' contracts, first-time owners, und so weiter.

View attachment 947411 Man....ammo flipping...what a class act for one's Mon-Wed-Fri. My thanks to "Slingblade's" Billy Bob Thornton.

I have hit my local Academy A few times on Monday mornings to grab some ammo when it comes in. It does move fast but many people are generous and have given away some ammo to someone else that needed it.

I actually did that as well while waiting to get my Maverick 88 and gave up a value pack on 9mm to a lady that had missed the boat

 

[MAKster]

Newsweek is not the same liberal publication that used to be owned by the Washington Post Company. In the past 10 years it has changed ownership like 4 times.