News

Ammo Shortage

Updated Thursday, March 21, 2013

Written By: Joe Melillo

Schuyler County Sheriff Bill Yessman told an audience of more than 100 gun owners this week that his agency tried to order ammunition.

March 21, 2013
Twin Tiers (WENY) - Schuyler County Sheriff Bill Yessman told an audience of more than 100 gun owners this week that his agency tried to order ammunition. The manufacturer told him it could take a year to fill his order, and the shortage of ammunition has many people nervous.
      We put a post on Facebook asking our viewers to comment on the shortage. People say they are having a hard time finding bullets for even the most common guns. Lou Rubin served in the military for more than 25 years. He's a avid gun owner and likes to shoot for sport in his free time.
      “Minor league competition, who can come closest to the hole on a piece of paper,” says Rubin.
    He says since the SAFE Act passed in January, it's almost impossible to find ammunition. People on facebook are saying the same thing.
     Chuck Niles says "Number one question in the state at any store is "Do you have any .22 long rifle ammo", the number one answer is NO.... from NY state to Florida.”
     Brad Barber says "Ammo, has been in short supply since last fall. The hardest ammo to find seems to be .22 ammo"
      Paul Perine, Sporting Goods manager at Hesselsons in Elmira Heights, he says he's seen this before, when President Obama was elected in 2008.
     “I personally believe that the majority of the shortage is caused, somewhat like a shortage of eggs and milk prior to a snowstorm we're just waiting or in the middle of a snow storm and we're just unable to re-supply,” says Perine. “We're about 3 months into a shortage now so if history repeats it self we should be coming out of it in a few months.”
      Price gouging and profiteering online is making it hard for people all over the country. A case of 22 caliber bullets that were selling for $16, are now up to $80 online.