Firearms Shortage in the US could impact Gun Owners and Law Enforcement

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The ammunition shortage in the US has impacted law enforcement agencies as firearms sales increased during the Covid-19 pandemic. The increase in firearms sales created a critical shortage in the US and manufacturers are struggling to fulfill customer demands. The shortage of ammunition can prevent new gun owners from properly learning how to handle their weapons. A spokesman for the Las Vegas Metropolitan Police Department, Officer Larry Hadfield issued a press statement. He said that his department wants to stockpile ammunition when possible. The executive director of the National Law Enforcement Firearms Instructors Association, Jason Westenberg also issued a statement. He said, “We have had several firearms instructors cancel their registration to our courses because their agency was short on ammo or they were unable to find ammo to purchase”.

The gun owners in the US have experienced a shortage in the March of this year. The National Shooting Sports Foundation said firearms sales increased over 21 million in 2020 with 8 million first-time buyers. Most experts believe the early panic from the Covid-19 pandemic mixed with anxieties during both the riots and unrest. The murder of George Floyd and the 2020 presidential election result flamed the surge in gun sales. That surge also initiated a surge in ammunition sales. Manufacturers weren’t able to meet demands due to reduced production and import of raw materials during lockdowns in 2020. In July 2020, the Remington Arms Company filed for bankruptcy due to years of lawsuits and loss of investors. It has also strained the capabilities of the manufacturing industry.

The NSSF spokesman Mark Oliva said, “When you talk about all these people buying guns, it really has an impact on people buying ammunition. If you look at 8 million guns buyers and they all need to buy one box with 50 rounds, that’s going to be 420 million rounds”. However, the hunting participation in 2021 climbed again despite the lack of ammunition and used available supplies for sport. The senior vice president of the NSSF, Chris Dolnack said, “Shooting ranges are busier than they’ve ever been. I think that goes to some extent to the 8 to 9 million new gun owners that we have, and that they’re familiarizing themselves with their firearms and seeking training”. The US brought in supplies from Russia, South Korea, the European Union, and others over the past two years. The ammo shortage pushed manufacturers to import from overseas and it increased imports by 225%.