Such was the idealogy of the last Democratic administration ... A view demolished by the Supreme Court last year in a monumental decision. In 2009, however, financial crisis concerns, coupled with the reality of another Democratic administration in office, have some Americans very wary.
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When this nation was founded, those in charge of constructing the basis of our new government thought it necessary to clearly spell out a citizen’s right to “keep and bear arms”, warning the government that this right shall not be infringed. Early patriots like Thomas Jefferson stated that such a right is necessary for the people to prevent tyranny and to provide for personal and common defense. Last year, the Supreme Court once again affirmed the individual’s right to possess firearms in a much-publicized ruling. This was the first ruling of its kind, and was applauded by Constitutionalists and gun owners everywhere.
Yet, since the election last fall – and quite frankly, for months ahead of this – the United States has been plagued by a constant, growing shortage of ammunition for personal safety firearms like the .380, .40 and .45 caliber handguns. In the Republic of Texas, nearly every sporting goods store (Cabela’s, Academy, Wal-Mart) has almost barren shelves in its ammunition section. Retail managers will tell you that quantities of ammunition are being restricted by the manufacturers and suppliers. They just can’t keep up with demand, and this means that stores’ orders are scratched (unfulfilled by the warehouse) or rationed among stores.
.380 rounds are among the most difficult to obtain. As the article below states, most shipments delivered to stores are purchased by customers within a few hours. Customers are calling in and asking associates to “hold” the ammunition for them to come pick up. Store employees are hoarding ammunition as it comes off the truck, so often times, the shipment does not even make it to the shelf. I discovered this when speaking to a manager of the local Academy Sports & Outdoors, when he openly chastised his employees for stashing ammunition that “just arrived on the truck.” Luckily, this manager made the employees put the ammunition on the shelf. “It’s just not fair. These are for our customers to come and purchase,” he said in a frustrated tone.
All six boxes of the .380 ammunition were purchased by a customer as I spoke with the manager.
There are several purported reasons for the shortage. As the article explains, many gun owners are wary of Democrats being in control of the White House and Congress, as many believe the party to be “gun-grabbers” who are quick to pass legislation curbing firearm ownership. This is not without precedent. After the OKC bombing, the democrats, under the leadership and direction of former President Bill Clinton, pushed through the Brady bill and many other laws restricting access to firearms. Today, pending legislation, supported by President Obama, would put yet another ban on certain “assault weapons” – the same weapons that police forces keep in their arsenal. This action is seen as a threat by conservatives and gun owners.
“These people [Democrats] want to control your weapons. The government wants a disarmed public. We’re much easier to control that way,” explained a customer at Academy. I went on to point out that the government doesn’t have to restrict guns if the levels of ammunition are so controlled. My comment was met with a nod and a suspicious look. “This is what I’m talking about. Stock up while you still can.”
There is no doubt that many have a hoarding mentality these days, and I suspect they aren’t wrong for thinking that way. I have encouraged friends and family to start storing foods and supplies that may become very expensive or unavailable in the coming months if we enter a severe depression. The same fears over the economic situation and the expected civil unrest and rising crime rate resulting from that crisis have many Americans “on the edge”. I suspect this is a contributing cause for the shortages we’re experiencing, but not all.
Since the late 1990’s, and certainly in the aftermath of September 11, 2001, the federal government has been working to militarize our local police departments. They have received numerous grants of training and equipment as well as incentives to take part in their federal, homeland security programs. As a result, most local police departments are growing in terms of numbers in their ranks as well as their firepower and ability to “respond” to a wider range of “domestic threats”. Many police forces arm their officers with 9mm, .40 and .45 caliber hand guns. As training increases, so does the expenditure on ammunition and many forces are also reporting a shortage in their departments because of it.
“Law enforcement comes in and buys a lot as well,” explained one of the Academy employees behind the gun counter. “And, then of course, it is hunting season here in Texas.” I noticed, however, that there are still plenty of cases of rounds for shotguns. After pointing this out to the employee, he agreed that most of what they are selling – “when [they] can get it in” – is ammunition for handguns for personal protection or law enforcement. I asked, “So what’s the big deal here? Are people that worried?” His only reply was a shake of the head, followed by, “Yup.”
Regardless of the reasons behind the shortage, it is clear that many Americans are concerned about their personal safety and are cautious with regard to expectations of the Democratic majority in Washington as well as the outcome of the current financial crisis.
Personally, I believe Americans should be concerned that their right to keep and bear arms may actually be short-circuited by ammunition control, rather than gun control. If there is no ammunition to fire, guns quickly become as effective as stone-age clubs.
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Sales of guns, ammo still high
One shop says the “hoarding” of ammunition since Obama’s election has created a shortage.
By KELLY BOSTIAN World Outdoors Writer
Published: 3/13/2009 3:28 AM
Last Modified: 3/13/2009 9:24 AM
Four months after the election of President Barack Obama, firearms and ammunition sales in Tulsa remain at a fever pitch.
Popular self-protection ammunition is often sold out at local stores, weapons are flying off shelves and the state reports an 87 percent increase in concealed carry permit applications for February 2008 over February 2009.
“People are hoarding. They’re creating a shortage,” Jim Prall at Sports World on 41st Street said of ammunition sales. “We’ve sold more ammunition in the last three months than we sold last year.”
Gun sales spiked in November with the election of Barack Obama and Democrats adding to their majority in Congress. But local gun dealers say the spike is turning into a steady climb with political worries about gun rights as well as worries about the economy and potential for increased crime.
Prall said his store planned ahead for the increase, having seen a similar spike after Bill Clinton was elected, but the previous jump in sales pales in comparison to what’s happening now.
“Most we’re selling now we got back in September, but we bought pallets then where normally we wouldn’t have ordered that much.”
The surprise sales come with .380 caliber semi- automatic pistols. A relatively small self-protection weapon, it’s not one that people typically fire in great quantity at the firing range, Prall said. Yet, the ammunition is now hard to find. “Nobody would have predicted that,” he said.
“What’s happened is everybody is afraid because
the Democrats are anti-gun,” said David Stone, president of Dong’s Guns and Ammo on East Admiral Place.
Internet chatter about bills in Congress that would create additional taxes on firearms and ammunition components, require strict licensing and ban more types of so-called “assault weapons” add to the concern, Stone said. “That’s just driving everyone into panic mode,” he said. “We’re selling 10 times the ammo we used to.”
Similar bills have come up in Congress before, but few have advanced.
“We ran completely out here of 9 mm and .380,” said Johny Mathews, product and service manager at the U.S. Shooting Sports Academy on East 66th Street North. “We were begging, borrowing and stealing from wherever.”
Concealed-carry classes at the academy are booked through April. “We used to do 15-person classes, and now we do 24 because of the demand,” he said.
Mathews believes that politics are partly to blame, but the economy also has people worried.
“It’s 50/50, I think” he said. “When people lose jobs and get desperate, good people can sometimes do bad things. People hear more about home invasions, robberies, and they think it will only get worse. Then they’re afraid they might lose their guns or ammo, so they stock up.”
Sales are so intense that Stone has limited sales of .380 ammo to one box per customer at Dong’s. He has .380-caliber handguns for sale, and likes to be able to sell ammunition to whoever buys a gun, he said.
A shipment of 10 Ruger .380 LCP handguns was sold in 24 hours this week — seven the first day, three the next. “Last week I had 28 boxes of .380, rationed to one per person, and it was gone in three days,” Stone said.
Academy Sporting Goods stores also are low on .380 ammo. “The other day we got 16 boxes of .380 and a guy came in first thing and bought all 16,” said Jon Ide, hunting and fishing sales associate at the 41st Street store. “A few people are doing all the buying, and it’s the people who are trying to just get a box or two that can’t find any.”
The increased sales comes with an increase in Oklahomans seeking concealed-carry permits.
The Oklahoma State Bureau of Investigation pulled in additional help last month so it could process concealed-carry permit applications within the required 90 days, according to the supervisor of the self-defense licensing unit. Unit workers do not release their names.
The 87.2 percent increase for February 2009 over the same month last year was partially due to renewal applications for permits issued three and five years ago. But new applications have steadily risen in the past three years, and increased markedly since November, she said.
She couldn’t share the monthly breakdown on numbers, but as an indication of the volume said the state issued a total of 18,510 permits in 2008. The bureau’s annual reports show the state issued 16,426 permits in 2007 and 9,529 in 2006. There are 75,525 valid active concealed-carry permits in Oklahoma, she said.
Filed under: Current Political News, government, politics , america's ammunition shortage, ammo shortage, ammunition, Constitution, depression, financial crisis, freedom, government, liberty, news, obama administration, second amendment
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