Local gun stores feeling impact of ammunition shortage

Updated: Tuesday, 09 Apr 2013, 12:07 PM EDT
Published : Monday, 08 Apr 2013, 11:06 PM EDT

Megan Reust

FORT WAYNE, Ind. (WANE) - Gun stores across the country are feeling the impact of the ammunition shortage. We checked in with businesses here to see how they're coping with empty shelves and a loss in sales. Since the election and the Sandy Hook shooting, business owners said gun enthusiasts across the US have bought up most of the retail ammunition that's available. Shelves in many of their stores that were once full are now barren.

Sales lately at Sniper Company in Fort Wayne have been far from usual.

"It's not good for sales right now because we don't have product to sell right now," Sniper Company store manager, Travis Roth said.

Deserted shelves were once places where customers could find boxes and boxes of ammunition. "Not too long after the election and then after the shooting at Sandy Hook ammunition sales and firearms sales just went through the roof and it has been flying out of the store ever since."

The ammunition shortage is something impacting locally owned gun stores as well as big box stores like Gander Mountain. Although they aren't allowed to talk about sales, a Gander Mountain spokesperson said they have seen encouraging levels of business from folks buying ammunition. Sniper Company store manager, Travis Roth, said customers understand the ammo crisis and sometimes work together to find what they need.

"Most people are kind of communicating with each other about who has what in stock so people can go there and get it."

For the time being they'll have to make due with limited shipments from ammo manufacturers.

"The demand is just so high. Most of these companies are working overtime trying to get the product out and they just can't keep up with the sales."

Roth said some people are hopeful more ammunition will be distributed back into the market this summer.

Tuesday, April 9, 2013