Ammo rationing at Wal-Mart as panic buying sweeps US

[mawilson 2,133]

The USA is suffering the most severe ammunition famine in living memory. Gun fanciers,

fearing a Democrat crackdown on every American's right to pack heat, are clearing

shelves at ammo shops and hoarding cartridges.

AP reports that the Remington Arms Company's factory in North Carolina is now working

around the clock trying to supply insatiable demand for rifle, pistol and shotgun cartridges.

"We've had to add a fourth shift and go 24-7," Remington spokesman Al Russo told the

news wire. "It's a phenomenon that I have not seen before in my 30 years in the business."

The shortages are so bad that retail globocorp Wal-Mart has been forced to introduce

rationing at the ammo counter in many of its stores. Depending on calibre, customers may

be limited to purchases of just 50 rounds at a time. Apparently, classic .45 ACP pistol

ammunition is especially scarce - a fairly good indication that it is in fact conservative

Middle America rather than, say, inner-city criminals buying up all the ammo*.

According to the National Rifle Association, America's pro-guns lobby, the people of the

USA normally buy about 7 billion cartridges a year (an average of 23 rounds per head).

The past year has seen that figure jump to 9 billion. The FBI reports a 25 per cent climb

in background checks made prior to gun sales.

The ammo rush has been dubbed the "Obama effect" by gun-industry people, but in fact

there is no sign at present of any particularly aggressive move towards stricter federal

gun laws.

Police forces across the States reportedly suffered from some ammo shortages earlier

in the year, but this was in large part unrelated to the surge in civilian demand. Rather,

heavy use by the US military overseas made it hard to obtain ammunition such as

5.56mm assault-rifle/intermediate-power cartridges, commonly used by plods and

troops but much less so by civilian gun owners.

Meanwhile the ongoing shortages have seen ammo prices soar.

"Used to be gold, but now lead is the most expensive metal," one gun enthusiast told AP.

"And worth every penny."

link

[alienlovechild 75]

The ammo rush has been dubbed the "Obama effect" by gun-industry people, but in fact

there is no sign at present of any particularly aggressive move towards stricter federal

gun laws.

Police forces across the States reportedly suffered from some ammo shortages earlier

in the year, but this was in large part unrelated to the surge in civilian demand. Rather,

heavy use by the US military overseas made it hard to obtain ammunition such as

5.56mm assault-rifle/intermediate-power cartridges, commonly used by plods and

troops but much less so by civilian gun owners.

link

Wait until after healthcare and some particularily nasty gun incident then expect another call for more gun control laws even though they still won't pass.

What's a "plod"?

[mawilson 2,133]

What's a "plod"?

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Plod

[Amby 490]

They still sell ammo at Wal Mart?

[Kevin and 10]

They still sell ammo at Wal Mart?

Yep, they just don't sell firearms anymore.

[Amby 490]

They still sell ammo at Wal Mart?

Yep, they just don't sell firearms anymore.

cool. thanks. anytime i go there i get whatever it is that i need and then get out. i stay far away from the entire camo section

[sara..... 371]

i guess in some parts of usa it might be true but we just went in and bought ammo (hunting season coming) and had no problem

sara

[Otto 83]

Why does the article posted not match actual article in the link provided? - seems to have been edited.

(Not that it matters - just saying)

[Amby 490]

ok tomorow if I get bored I will go to walmart and try to buy some ammo for the gun I don't have. I'll report back.

[Kevin and 10]

They still sell ammo at Wal Mart?

Yep, they just don't sell firearms anymore.

cool. thanks. anytime i go there i get whatever it is that i need and then get out. i stay far away from the entire camo section

That's where the camping stuff is though.

[Otto 83]

ok tomorow if I get bored I will go to walmart and try to buy some ammo for the gun I don't have. I'll report back.

Make sure to note any 'panicked' buyers and/or if there was a line...

[Peikko 1,575]

Panic buying is the persuit of madmen.

[Amby 490]

ok tomorow if I get bored I will go to walmart and try to buy some ammo for the gun I don't have. I'll report back.

Make sure to note any 'panicked' buyers and/or if there was a line...

Will do.

[Trumplestiltskin 5,791]

It seems a bit nutty.

[Amby 490]

Mark go to Wal Mart and try to buy some ammo. We can compare notes.