Johnny Got His Gun, But No Ammo

By Tony Capri

As politicians in Washington wrestle with gun-control legislation Pickens County residents are stocking up for a rainy day.Retail outlet the Bargain Barn seems to be experiencing a shortage of ammunition, specifically rounds designed for assault rifles, a term challenged by Second Amendment supporters. Store Manager Brenda Crooke suggested the current situation is likely due to fears of a possible ban on certain types of guns and munitions.

“It started in December,” she said. “[Customers] sucked all the ammo off the shelves.”

Crooke explained, though, the amount of ammunition manufacturers are producing hasn’t changed. Demand, however, has skyrocketed since the Sandy Hook shooting in Newtown and subsequent gun-control debates on the Hill.

She claims her customers are not alone in their shortage of ammo, either. Her suppliers tell her retailers around the nation are experiencing similar shortages. She receives calls regularly from customers on the lookout for .22-caliber shells, which are some of the most difficult to keep supplied.

“[It] got to where when they said ‘have you got…,’ I just said ‘no,’”

Bargain Barn Attendant Sam Pendleton said, referring to calls about ammo.

Will the ammo drought soon be over? Only time will tell.

On Tuesday, Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid (D-NV) dropped the proposed assault weapons ban, co-sponsored by California Democrat Diane Feinstein. The move comes less than a week after Senator Ted Cruz (R-TX) won a heated exchange with Feinstein over the bill, where he argued the bill is a Second Amendment violation, because it infringes on a citizen’s right to keep and bear a certain type of arms.

Although Reid dropped the bill, he reportedly told Feinstein there will be two votes, one on her assaults weapons ban and another on prohibiting high capacity magazines. As such, the topic is in no danger of cooling, which may prolong the shortage, but will keep the Bargain Barn busy.