Because of the jump in gun sales nationwide since Barack Obama was elected president — which has amounted to panic buying because of the new anti-gun administration — ammunition sales have also skyrocketed and there now is a national shortage, affecting hunting and the shooting sports.
The National Shooting Sports Foundation (NSSF), the trade organization for the shooting sports, has shed some light on the concern that the supply of ammunition is not able to keep up with the current demand.
NSSF recently interviewed ammunition manufacturers across the U.S. and learned that the shortage of ammunition is real and is caused by several factors. They include: a significant spike in consumer demand; law enforcement demand for training and readiness; Department of Defense demand for training and readiness; and higher prices from commodities.
The high demand for ammunition extends across caliber lines. The increase can be seen in most handgun, rifle and rimfire ammunition and on certain shotshells such as buckshot.
In order to help keep up with demand for ammunition, manufacturers are working at full capacity around the clock.