The US faces a serious shortage of ammunition. The market for guns has toppled through the roof after an unstable and turbulent year.
After the numerous public rioting events, the main reason for this demand stems mainly from the American concern for safety.
Not to mention, the pandemic has had a major effect on the supply-chain logistics of the country.
Increased Ammunition Sales
Along with the recurrent episodes of rioting, the presidential drama has sparked national civil unrest. People are more than ever concerned about their safety now.
There are a lot of more gun owners out there than they’ve ever been in a long time. Anyone with even the slightest concern about the safety of their families or their business would head to the gun store.
People feel the need to defend themselves with the authoritative bodies occupied with managing the protests and public disorder. Therefore, the sales of ammunition have spiked to a substantial amount.
The majority of retail sellers have to face inventory issues. Some also claim that the increase in gun sales is a reaction to the far-right conservatives’ hateful stance.
In addition, gun owners are buying ammunition to store and not to shoot, because of the increased degree of confusion surrounding the situation.
This suggests that among veteran gun owners and preppers alike, there is plenty of bulk buying.
After the civilian massacre and massacres, the stern belief in preparedness increased.
The stockpiling of gun owners, therefore, is making it tough for dealers of firearms.
Related: 8 Ammo Storage Tips Every Prepper Should Know
Where Has The Ammo Gone?
At the beginning of January 2020, firearms retailers and wholesalers were happily enjoying their full inventory supply. No one expected their shelves to be empty in December by the end of the year.
Now, for consumers, the unavailability of ammunition is unfathomable. The ammunition shortage has resulted from the uncertainty of the pandemic, conflicts over gun rights, presidential elections, and riots.
The ammunition manufacturers certainly did not anticipate the rise in new gun owners and the rapid demand for supplies of guns. On the ammunition shortage, even hunters weigh in.
Just as people stored toilet papers earlier in 2020, gun owners and even hunters are tracking down ammunition boxes.
In these times of chaos, panic buying has become a common habit for customers.
This trend of panic-buying has changed from toilet papers like that to disinfectants and now to ammunition.
Production Challenges
Bear in mind that 90 percent of the world’s ammunition demand is in the US alone, and as years pass by, this continues to be growing. Increased demand is therefore causing heavy challenges for ammunition manufacturers to cope with, especially in pandemic periods.
Not only do weapons producers have to fulfill the demands of the markets, but they also have to keep their employees healthy at the same time. The health and welfare of US employees will remain a priority at all times.
Because of the social distancing rules, one obvious solution, i.e. increasing the number of employees, has gone out of the window.
In their factories, manufacturers now have to make separate plans to fit more staff.
Ultimately, this is a time-taking operation, and the businesses that have made the arrangement are still struggling to satisfy consumer demands.
The market for the ammunition content has also stunted, apart from just the ammunition equipment. Because the pandemic is a global economic shutdown, there is a shortage of primer and brass production overseas.
These are two core products for ammunition production. Other necessities for the manufacture of ammunition are also scarce. These include gunpowder, cases, packing tapes, and cardboard boxes.
Also, small items such as the shipping and boxing of ammunition are now a daunting activity with the shutting down of all production facilities. Whether the sudden increase was a product of the desperation of the people or a frenzied reaction to the civil unrest, the ammunition shortage is definitely not going to get better anytime soon.
Conspiracy Theory
Some conspiracy theories have claimed that the lack of ammunition is a corporate scheme to store ammunition so that the rich can sell it. However, the authorities have rejected any of this knowledge to be accurate after stern questioning. The Remington ammunition company’s president had to come out and discuss these rumors himself.
He plainly claimed that it is ridiculous to believe that in secret warehouses they store some ammunition. He further clarified that more ammunition is being made than they have ever had. In such a short time, it was just the increasingly high demand for ammunition that overwhelmed the company.
Related: 17 Home Security Tips From A Military Expert
When Will The Shortage End?
Consider the fact that, since March 2020, there have been seven million new gun owners across the country. If you take that amount and make a reasonable estimation of the demand for ammunition, up to 700 million new ammunition rounds will be counted. Hence, in less than nine months, it is unlikely to reach this figure.
This fact alone puts to bed many conspiracies spiraling around this scarcity. The federal president confirms that it is possible that demand will increase, but only to some degree. It is a time-consuming operation to raise the workers and equipment.
In addition, it is an unethical and inconsiderate measure in times of the pandemic to multiply employees for the demands of the business.
Thus, the shortage is likely to last and maybe even longer in the year 2021.
The current Biden administration would also have a lot to do with ammunition production. Their important decisions on gun regulations and laws would impact the pace of production of ammunition.
What Does This Mean For Preppers?
As a prepper looking to store more ammunition, remember that the increased demand and reduced supply of the commodity are causing ammunition prices to rise due to the basic laws of economics.
Since last year, some bullets and cartridges have tripled in price. Despite the reasons for this ammunition shortage, it is expected that prices will remain high until there is high demand and low supply.
The free market economy does, however, have a way of stabilizing itself. In a couple of months, expect the supply to catch up.
It’s only a matter of patience; you have to wait for prices to drop again if you want to buy the ammunition at a cheaper price.
You will scavenge through hardware stores otherwise and waste hefty dollars on ammunition and sniper bullets.
If you are a hunter or someone looking for cartridges, depending on the availability of the cartridges, you can always opt to switch to a different caliber shotgun.
Consider anything along the .450 or 7mm Mag lines, since the .223 Rem appears to end quickly. In addition, ammunition may also be back-ordered and wait until April or March.
Patience is likely to play out in your favor in these situations. You can buy ammunition for an incredibly low price if you wait long enough for the supplies to stock up and the demand to decrease.
They are likely to place extremely low prices on ammunition if businesses have surplus ammunition in their inventory and the demand does not balance the supply. Therefore, because of the low prices, it will become easier for you to stock up on ammunition once the firearms hype stabilizes.
Related: 30 Survival Items To Get In The First 30 Days Of Prepping
How Much Ammo Should You Stockpile?
It depends on the amount of ammunition you need. It also relies on your house’s position, whether you live in the suburbs or urban areas.
If you live in a remote, secure place, then you do not need ammunition for protection. However, if you’re a resident hunter from the suburbs, then you’ll need to stock up on ammunition.
In terms of safety, if there are desperate circumstances and self-defense is needed, then you usually need around 300 rounds of ammunition per firearm at hand. Some people think it’s less, while others want even more. Your approach is another factor that will decide your ammunition requirements at hand.
Are you planning to stay put and shelter in crisis times? Or do you have a plan for an exit?
Sheltering and firing back would cause your side to have more ammunition. You will have to demonstrate to the opposition that you are well armed with plenty of ammunition, whether it is an all-out attack or a threat.
On the other hand, you must travel light and bring necessities if you intend to bug out and retreat to a safer destination.
The highways are going to close down in the worst case situations. You may have to move out of your car and escape on foot. You need to have food, water, and necessary survival gear in this case. Hence, it is not ideal to carry extra ammunition.
Investing in ammunition, especially in survival situations, is essential.
For each caliber gun that you own, you must have at least 10,000 bullets. This may sound like too much, but ammunition is worth more than the most precious of commodities in desperate circumstances.
Taking into account the growing demand for ammunition and guns, it is ideal to have your ammo and stock as much as possible.
