Free Republic

The nationwide shortage of ammunition has left many police departments scrambling to get their hands on the necessary rounds - with some even bartering among each other. Meanwhile, Rep. Timothy Huelskamp (R-Kansas) says the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) has failed to respond to multiple members of Congress asking why DHS bought more than 1.6 billion rounds in the past year. Police Chief Cameron Arthur of Jenks, Oklahoma says, "Ammunition and assault weapons in general have skyrocketed...In addition to the fact, not only is it a lot more expensive, but the time to get it could be six months to...

The common citizen is not the only one having trouble getting ammunition. Law enforcement agencies have seen their ammunition purchases put on back order because of a nationwide run on ammunition. That includes Wyoming County, where the Sheriff’s Department’s order made in 2012 has yet to arrive and there is no estimate for delivery. Orleans County has the same problem. “It’s been this way before, because of the wars but I think this is worse,” said Investigator Corey Black, who supervises firearms training for the department. “We plan for things like this so we run a little surplus each year.”...