2008-2009 United States ammunition shortage
Encyclopedia
The 2008-2010 United States ammunition shortage refers to a shortage of civilian small arms
ammunition in the United States
that started in late 2008 and continued through most or all of 2010. As of September 2011, ammunition for the most scarce calibers, .380 Auto .45ACP, and .40 S&W pistols, once unavailable at retail stores and gun shops were again available, but usually with only a few brands or types available. Both firearms and ammunition were selling at a record pace since the election of President Barack Obama
. Cartridge shortages were also experienced for many other popular semiautomatic rifles and pistols. In addition, primers
for handloaded
ammunition were also in short supply. USA Today
reported that in Wyoming, the "run on bullets and reloading components" reached such a "frenzy" that a Cheyenne retailer began rationing sales, and said she was also selling semiautomatic rifles as fast as she could put them on the shelves.
Remington Arms
Chief Executive Officer Ted Torbeck said was quoted in the Chambersburg Public Opinion newspaper on 2009-11-30 from Remington's most recent quarterly earnings conference call as saying "Since the U.S. presidential election, demand for (ammunition) has risen amidst concerns that the new administration will further restrict the use or purchase of firearms and ammunition and levy additional taxes on these products. Since that time we have responded by ramping up production, providing for additional employee overtime, establishing additional production shifts, and expanding our supply chain, none of which has required significant capital."
In response to the shortage, some ammunition distributors reduced shipments to individual stores. Some retailers have raised prices substantially. Nevertheless, some merchants reported increases in sales between 15% and 100%.
The shortage resulted in adverse consequences for law enforcement agencies. Several police departments have delayed or reduced firearm training programs for officers.
The U.S. military is unaffected by the shortage, as its ammunition is produced by dedicated plants., the largest of which is the Lake City Army Ammunition Plant
, claiming that these people fear more restrictive gun laws, ammunition taxes, and social decay. An October, 2009 Gallup poll found that "Many Gun Owners Think Obama Will Try to Ban Gun Sales" completely, and similar themes were struck in an Associated Press report: "Shooting ranges, gun dealers, and bullet manufacturers say they have never seen such shortages." Gallup explained that in this case, "a connection between the belief and the behavior is a logical hypothesis."
Since taking office, the Obama administration has changed the stance of the United States regarding the proposed United Nations treaty on trade in small arms from strong opposition to support for the treaty if it is passed by "consensus." According to recent deliberations regarding the treaty, signatory countries would be required to “prevent, combat and eradicate” various classes of guns to undermine “the illicit trade in small arms.” While such a treaty would not conflict with the Second Amendment by prohibiting citizens from keeping and bearing arms per se, as a practical matter it could make the exercise of such Second Amendment rights difficult or impossible by making small arms more scarce, difficult to obtain, and/or expensive.
Small arms
Small arms is a term of art used by armed forces to denote infantry weapons an individual soldier may carry. The description is usually limited to revolvers, pistols, submachine guns, carbines, assault rifles, battle rifles, multiple barrel firearms, sniper rifles, squad automatic weapons, light...
ammunition in the United States
United States
The United States of America is a federal constitutional republic comprising fifty states and a federal district...
that started in late 2008 and continued through most or all of 2010. As of September 2011, ammunition for the most scarce calibers, .380 Auto .45ACP, and .40 S&W pistols, once unavailable at retail stores and gun shops were again available, but usually with only a few brands or types available. Both firearms and ammunition were selling at a record pace since the election of President Barack Obama
Barack Obama
Barack Hussein Obama II is the 44th and current President of the United States. He is the first African American to hold the office. Obama previously served as a United States Senator from Illinois, from January 2005 until he resigned following his victory in the 2008 presidential election.Born in...
. Cartridge shortages were also experienced for many other popular semiautomatic rifles and pistols. In addition, primers
Percussion cap
The percussion cap, introduced around 1830, was the crucial invention that enabled muzzleloading firearms to fire reliably in any weather.Before this development, firearms used flintlock ignition systems which produced flint-on-steel sparks to ignite a pan of priming powder and thereby fire the...
for handloaded
Handloading
Handloading or reloading is the process of loading firearm cartridges or shotgun shells by assembling the individual components , rather than purchasing completely assembled, factory-loaded cartridges...
ammunition were also in short supply. USA Today
USA Today
USA Today is a national American daily newspaper published by the Gannett Company. It was founded by Al Neuharth. The newspaper vies with The Wall Street Journal for the position of having the widest circulation of any newspaper in the United States, something it previously held since 2003...
reported that in Wyoming, the "run on bullets and reloading components" reached such a "frenzy" that a Cheyenne retailer began rationing sales, and said she was also selling semiautomatic rifles as fast as she could put them on the shelves.
Remington Arms
Remington Arms
Remington Arms Company, Inc. was founded in 1816 by Eliphalet Remington in Ilion, New York, as E. Remington and Sons. It is the oldest company in the United States which still makes its original product, and is the oldest continuously operating manufacturer in North America. It is the only U.S....
Chief Executive Officer Ted Torbeck said was quoted in the Chambersburg Public Opinion newspaper on 2009-11-30 from Remington's most recent quarterly earnings conference call as saying "Since the U.S. presidential election, demand for (ammunition) has risen amidst concerns that the new administration will further restrict the use or purchase of firearms and ammunition and levy additional taxes on these products. Since that time we have responded by ramping up production, providing for additional employee overtime, establishing additional production shifts, and expanding our supply chain, none of which has required significant capital."
In response to the shortage, some ammunition distributors reduced shipments to individual stores. Some retailers have raised prices substantially. Nevertheless, some merchants reported increases in sales between 15% and 100%.
The shortage resulted in adverse consequences for law enforcement agencies. Several police departments have delayed or reduced firearm training programs for officers.
The U.S. military is unaffected by the shortage, as its ammunition is produced by dedicated plants., the largest of which is the Lake City Army Ammunition Plant
Lake City Army Ammunition Plant
Lake City Army Ammunition Plant is a government-owned, contractor-operated facility in Independence, Missouri that was established by Remington Arms in 1941 to manufacture and test small caliber ammunition for the U.S. Army. The facility has remained in continuous operation except for one 5-year...
Causes of the Shortage
Most people attribute the shortage to reaction of gun owners and other groups to the election of U.S. President Barack ObamaBarack Obama
Barack Hussein Obama II is the 44th and current President of the United States. He is the first African American to hold the office. Obama previously served as a United States Senator from Illinois, from January 2005 until he resigned following his victory in the 2008 presidential election.Born in...
, claiming that these people fear more restrictive gun laws, ammunition taxes, and social decay. An October, 2009 Gallup poll found that "Many Gun Owners Think Obama Will Try to Ban Gun Sales" completely, and similar themes were struck in an Associated Press report: "Shooting ranges, gun dealers, and bullet manufacturers say they have never seen such shortages." Gallup explained that in this case, "a connection between the belief and the behavior is a logical hypothesis."
Since taking office, the Obama administration has changed the stance of the United States regarding the proposed United Nations treaty on trade in small arms from strong opposition to support for the treaty if it is passed by "consensus." According to recent deliberations regarding the treaty, signatory countries would be required to “prevent, combat and eradicate” various classes of guns to undermine “the illicit trade in small arms.” While such a treaty would not conflict with the Second Amendment by prohibiting citizens from keeping and bearing arms per se, as a practical matter it could make the exercise of such Second Amendment rights difficult or impossible by making small arms more scarce, difficult to obtain, and/or expensive.