Ammo Sales

[Trout Stalker]

Last weekend I went to my local gun shop to purchase some ammo so we can go to the range this weekend. They were out and what they have was only being sold if you make a firearm purchase. The next day I went to Bass Pro in Independence, Mo and they were sold out of 9mm ammo. I then went to Cabelas and found some 9mm and picked up 2 boxes. Before I left, I decided to pick-up a couple more boxes so I wouldn't have to drive so far next time. When I return to the shelf where I picked-up the first 2, they were out. I ask if they had anymore and was told NO unless I wanted some high dollar 9mm. The saleman said that people are getting worried about gun control.

So what is everybodies thoughts? I not wanting to stir-up anything, but I can see that this topic can go south quickly and that is not my plan. Just want a simple discussion.

[jdmidwest]

Its political so I can't really say too much. Bills in certain states have been put in motion that would require serial numbers on individual bullets or casings, 500 percent increases on taxes for the ammo, and others. Current administration has a track record of anti-gun history in the past. Other reasons.

I think with the economy being so bad, people are stocking up on ammo for the time that they will have to start hunting for food, defending themselves when police forces are cut back, and they are bored and out of work and have nothing better to do except sit around and target practice.

It could also be that all that ammo is going to feed all the increase in firearms purchased since November. There are a whole bunch of new firearms owners since Nov, record sales as a matter of fact.

[grizwilson]

I have several friends who are gun dealers. Basically the same thing happened during the Clinton years. The NRA used the sales tactic that Billy and Hilly were going to get your guns. People went out and hoarded guns, instead of buying one they bought two. Now NRA says Obama and Nancy are going to raise ammo 500%. The gun and ammo dealers love it. The Reagan years were the only ones I experienced gun control, I had to sell my guns to surive. As long as you can make money you can buy anything.... tough times. I admit I am hoarding 22 ammo, so I can kill enough squirels and rabbits to weather this ression. I do not trust any of them.

[bigredbirdfan]

I have also been on the look out for ammo and surprisingly I haven't seen any of the above referenced propaganda that the NRA is pumping out to bump up ammo sales.

[DoveTail]

It's a huge panic across the United States. Obama's record on anti gun positions, he is the #1 gun sales person of the year. A month or so prior to the election when it looked like he was in the lead, sales started shooting up. The day after the election, shelves were cleaned off. According to one ammo manufacturer, there is about a 3-4 month back order time. So orders placed in November 08 are surfacing now. Prices have gone up some, but not significantly.

Some of the things about taxes and serial numbers were discussed, but I don't think those are the main fears. It is the unknown on what Obama will do. So instead of someone buying 1 box as they normally would do, then going to the store to get another box, they are buying up thousands of rounds. A panic is on with reloading supplies and everything else gun related.

The good news, if you call it that, with everything else going on with the economy, I think it would be hard to move some strict gun control on the agenda right now.

The recent announcement by Holder probably created another wave of panic. I noticed a few weeks ago, there was quite a bit of ammo that was being stocked up at retail stores vs. low inventories in November / December 2008. Holder wants to ban guns here because of problems in Mexico. They should just pass laws to make drugs illegal, then there would not be any problems.

[grizwilson]

I have also been on the look out for ammo and surprisingly I haven't seen any of the above referenced propaganda that the NRA is pumping out to bump up ammo sales.

My phone rings about 3 times a week from the NRA, as I am not a member. The last lady finally admitted to me she lived in Minnisota and did not even own a gun, simply a telemarketer...... yesterday I received a recorded message from Wayne LamPiere (sp) on the 500% increase. So if you are member you are probably not getting the calls. I do not belive the propaganda from either side. Besides in this economy I could not afford to join if I wanted to.

[bigredbirdfan]

Holder wants to ban guns here because of problems in Mexico. They should just pass laws to make drugs illegal, then there would not be any problems.

I thought we should have just made Mexico another state to clean up their mess and get rid of the illegal immigrant debate. Problem is they would gain way too much representation in the U.S House and Senate. I think people are big time worried about things deteroiating to the point they need ammo.

[hoglaw]

This is an artificial demand spike fueled by speculators. Sound familiar? Buyers are buying in bulk now and using the artificial demand as a way to get high prices from their ammo at gun shows. Production capacity hasn't changed, regulations haven't changed, the only thing that's changed is demand fueled by expectations. Nothing is going to happen to make ammunition harder to get in the foreseeable future. It's just not going to happen. The temporary shortage is a self fulfilling prophecy, and will be followed by a period of low sales and wide availibility of ammunition. Once the crazies calm down, this will work itself out.

[ladykiller]

Some of it has to do with the overseas 'conflicts' as well. Anybody tried to by any .223 rem in quantity lately?

[bigredbirdfan]

I forgot this is probably just all George Bush's fault people want ammo so bad