WCAX.COM Local Vermont News, Weather and Sports-Hunters Face Ammunition Shortage

Hunters Face Ammunition Shortage

Highgate Center, Vermont - November 13, 2009

This is the busiest week of the year at the M & R gun shop in Highgate Center.

But some customers are going home empty-handed.

"It's like it's dried up," said Mike Fontaine of M & R Gun Shop. "It's just not to be had."

Ammunition is in short supply. Orders from as far back as March and April have yet to be filled.

"I think we'll be wiped out. I think in the next two weeks we'll actually be wiped out of rifle ammunition," Fontaine said.

Gun shops across the country are in a similar situation. Many say the problem started last November when Barack Obama was elected president. People started stockpiling weapons and ammo fearing new gun laws.

"Everyone was afraid with the presidential election they were going to come after their guns," said Jim Datillio of Datillio's Gun Shop.

Firearms suppliers increased production to meet demand but say they're still having trouble keeping up. The shortage coincides with rising demand for ammunition by the U.S. military.

"Everything is allocated. Everything you get on a waiting list and whenever they can make it and wherever you are in line, that's what you get," Datillio said.

And until recently manufacturers say they were also hit hard by a surge in demand for metals in countries overseas.

"Last year they were talking copper, lead, brass, raw materials all being shipped overseas," Fontaine said. "The price of ammunition went up because of a shortage of materials and what not, but this year there's no nothing. It's just not here."

The retail price of ammunition has doubled and in some cases even tripled over the past few years. Most say that's not about to stop them from hunting. But a shortage of ammunition could. At the very least many hunters will have to drive farther and search longer to find the ammunition they want.

Keagan Harsha - WCAX News

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