YOUR COMMENTS

The reason ammo is so hard to find right now is very simple and I will pout my monery where my mouth is:

Obama has not appointed a single cabinet member who is gun neutral. Not one. From Koh at the UN to rahm the idiot and holder the incompetent, they are all anti-gun left wing nut jobs. Identify one gun neutral obama appointee and I will buy you a beer (or non-alcoholic drink) of your choice. skydive009@yahoo.com

The right to keep and bear arms has nothing to do with hobbies, it has nothing to do with hunting. It has to do with being well armed to overthrow a tyrannical government if need be and perhaps to defend against foriegn invaders.
- Michael Layon, Derry

News Flash, Gun & Ammo Shortage IS REAL...

The handful of low-life's that are taking advantage of the situation and their fellow citizens are not having any significant impact on the supply or the demand...

And here in Vegas there are Gun Shows every month, and I seldom see any significant amount of ammo that came from Walmart for resale...

Take a look at supply chain management 101 and Just In Time ordering protocol for retailers and Gun Shops...

The same thing that has happened to Guns & Ammo could happen to food & clothing overnight...

IF there is a good chance of not being able to buy something when you need it; or ever again; how much is too much to pay?

Not withstanding that every major ammunition manufacturer is only making retail ammo one day a week, the other 24x6 days a week is going strictly to Uncle Sam; Military & the DHS coincidentally, the Department of Homeland Security of all places is buying millions of rounds a month... mmm wonder what they are doing...

Another thing to consider is that you should be putting 200 rounds minimum a month through any firearm you wish to remain proficient with...
2,400 per year...
9,600 to get you through at least one term of Obama & Company...
19,200 for two terms...
FOR A SINGLE FIREARM...
For practice, what if you need to be feeding your family off what the land will provide due to the Socialist in Chief and Company?

Think you have enough ammo yet?

Additionally, like Gold & Silver, Guns & Ammo depreciate little if at all ever...

Extra ammo could also be used to trade for food & water you will need if Obama keeps up with the road to Socialism... and is not impeached or his Karma finally catches up with him Pelosi, Reid, DNC, and Company...
- Bohemian, Las Vegas, Nevada

Out here in New Mexico (USA) we are seeing the shortage subside a little. Two months ago you could not get primers to reload with or any kind of hand gun ammo. Now I have been able to get all sizes of primers I need and .40s and 9mms are staying on the shelves a few days. Hope it lets up for you guys out east soon.
- Jay Tibbetts, Radium Springs NM

I have four fire extinguishers. Never used any of them.

[I have more guns than I have fire extinguishers.]

I've never been attacked by a thug. Many people have (fatally). Maybe they should have bought and carried a gun, and then they would never need one.

The availability of guns is not the problem, bad govt policy is.
- Red Canister, Illinois

The Ammo Shortage is just price gouging, caused by Ammo being hoarded not by "Consumers" but by "Speculators" [ Some Gun Dealers, Gun Show Vendors and Others] who are Greedy.

I've been to Walmart and Big 5 and watched as a a varing lot of these people come in and buy out freshly trucked in inventory by the case load only to see them reselling the Same Ammo marked up at a higher price in Gun shows later.

The best part is hearing them Pass on the myth of "Ammo Shortage" to their customers.

In my own opinion history will remember the Ammo Shortage like they already Remember the 70's Oil Shortage, The Enron caused Power Shortage in California, and Real Estate Price Gouging, of the 2000's.

As rule the US is a consumer based modernized industrial country, there genarrly never is a Long Term shortage of any consumer product as history tells us, unless price gouging is involved.
- JD, SF Bay Area

Whenever I see these anti-gun arguments pop up I always have to laugh at the fact that Switzerland is found to be one of the safest countries in the world, yet Switzerland practices universal conscription, which requires that all able-bodied male citizens keep fully-automatic firearms at home in case of a call-up.

I guess if your a bad guy and you know a house owner has a gun, chances are you're going to think twice about committing a crime!
- Mike, Epping

I live in Middle Tennessee and work part time at a local gunshop. We have a very good selection of Blackguns and most types of Pistols and Revolvers, we have had a banner year with our gun sales ammunition is begining to be more available.
- Dan Dickey, Murfreesboro, TN 37127

So Tommy in Manch thinks guns are just a hobby. Well, it's nice to know that my "hobby" of protecting myself and others with a gun is a "natural right" and protected by the NH Constitution (Articles 2 and 2a).
- Chris L, Manchester

Tommy, Manchester,

Ever need a seatbelt? Maybe not. Do you use one regularly? Probably. For a lot of people gun ownership is not a hobby - it's a life insurance policy. For the bazillionth time, it's better to have it and not need it than to need it and not have it. You can crouch down and plead for your life with some punk but I sure won't. And in case you haven't read the headlines lately, a lot of citizens could have greatly benefitted from having a gun on them while they were robbed/beaten/stabbed/shot/raped/etc. I've read your tripe here before; see J.J. of Manchester's definition of "troll".
- Tim K, Jaffrey

Chris L in Manchester:

Kelly Ayotte also filed an amicus brief in a Seacoast case asserting that there is no right to concealed carry. Your confidence is misplaced.

By the way, its "Attorneys General," not "Attorney Generals."
- Jeff, Manchester

Well, the responders here are a sorry bunch of gun HOBBYISTS. And that's what guns are really all about: A HOBBY.

And it's one with a very odd mental component that has people floating in a mental delusion of self-gratifying power over others, and paranoia about society, all made up in their heads. Strange as strange gets!

You can prove me wrong by offering facts that show even a small percentage of gun owners have ever defended themselves with their weapon. To the contrary, I am sure the number of gun owners who have done something utterly awful to "loved ones" with their firearm is far larger than the number who have actually lived one of the goofy fantasies of self defense written about here.

Now I like guns, I have one. But I don't have paranoid fantasies about the imminent dangers all around me, and social collapse. That's nonsense at best and mental illness more likely.
- Tommy, Manchester

As a person whom believes in a natural and/or God-given right to self-defense merely acknowledged in the U.S. Constitution, although I don't presently own any guns or ammunition, I certainly glad that the only guns aren't in the hands of 'criminals' or the Government. But I largely, if not mostly, repeat myself. Government in NH and the US has itself created most of its own criminals by denying the vast majority of children two married parents through the crime of so-called 'no-fault' divorce and the like. Any Government like that of NH that explodes its prison population over ten-fold what it was in 1960 (after accounting for population growth) and a Nation that has 24% of the world's prison inmate population can hardly claim to be genuinely 'free'. (Sources: nh.gov/doc and www.worldmapper.org)
- Mike, Hampton

Give me a break. I suppose next thing you know people will start talking about 2012.
- Matt, In NH

My kingdom for a gun and ammo I cry.
But someone or something as slow or stop the supply. I tooken gun safety safety courses but no gun/supplies to be have that I want.What next food and fuel.
- mo, plymouth

Angelo, the problem with your backgroung checks is that the "idiots in the streets" are generally not buying guns in stores, they are buying them in the streets from other idiots or stealing them.

Shall not be infringed only means one thing. Please look up the word infringed.
- Zizzy, Manchester

Angelo, "troll" is internet slang for someone who says stupid and provocative things on the internet just to get a rise out of people. It's not petty namecalling because you passed the litmus test.
- J.J., Manchester

There's no shortage of guns or ammo in NH--just read the Saturday UL every week and see how many were fired overnight in downtown Manchester!
- Tom, Derry

It's funny that this article comes out now. The real shortages were last winter. Now I can get any caliber ammo by the case on line. As far as availability of guns, the huge increases in the price of military style guns (AK47, AR patterns and FN-FAL) has slowly drifted down. While the prices aren't where they were prior to November 2008, they are much more reasonable. Keep your eyes on the upcoming Supreme Court session. I think we'll be seeing a reaffirmation of the 2nd Amendment and its applicability to states. As far as NH, Kelly Ayotte was one of the 34 attorney generals who submited an amicus brief IN FAVOR of applying the US 2nd Amendment to the states. I don't see the NH culture (or the NH Constitution) changing anytime soon.
- Chris L, Manchester

Angelo,
I don't know why I'm even still bothering with you when I should just ignore you at this point, but ANY responsible gun owner will tell you that a sawed-off shotgun for home defense is ASENINE for a multitude of reasons. Not to mention, as Mike pointed out, they are ILLEGAL if under 18 inches. Like, FELONY illegal. And I'd love to see you try to fire a sawed-off shotgun without hurting yourself, much less see an elderly person try it. A .22 or .32 would be a much better choice for a frail elderly person. Actually, you may not be a troll, after all. I think you're one of these "Well, I love single-shot pistols and hunting rifles so I don't think anyone else needs anything that holds more than two rounds" type of gun owners. Even worse than a troll. By the way, I've been shooting since I was five (which was thirty years ago) and my father is an NRA shooting instructor.
- Tim K, Jaffrey

Angelo is definitely a troll. I say this as an NRA Home Defense Instructor. 1st rule, especially when startled out of sleep is, "Make positive identification of your target so you don't shoot a loved one." I recommend a handgun with hollow points and LED flashlight be kept together at all times for home defense. As for shortages, I can't get .308 Win, .223 Remington, or large Rifle Primers for Match competition reloading. I have stopped live fire practice to conserve ammo, but continue to practice draw and aim to preserve muscle memory.
- Bruce Seibert, Westminster, MA

Mike:

I own personal weapons and have so for many years. I have taken the NRA sponsored gun safety course and have never had any accidents. I advocate RESPONSIBLE gun ownership and usage.

Your post pointed out the need for a background check for an AOW, and I was responding that that was not a problem. I have nothing to hide. Apparently you have a problem with backrground checks for gun purchasing.

It's funny that the Dirty Harry and Charles Bronson wanna-be's are calling me the gangster!

How many rounds does a handgun hold? How many people die each year from the business end of a revolver vs. the double barrels of an over and under?

And what's with the Troll business? Can't you and Tim make a point without resorting to school yard name calling?
- Angelo, Manchester, NH

Jake, you're right.
This is price gouging of the most evil kind.

First they scare people that their rights and even lives are threatened, then they jack up the prices and create panic buying. Gun stores that used to be happy to turn a $2 profit on a box of handgun ammo are now taking $25 or more. Its sickening.
- Jon, Milford

John Croteau, Candia,

That's all fine and dandy, and I agree that dogs can be a deterrent, but I know a family who's house was broken into and the guys who did it duct-taped the owner's Pitt Bull's mouth shut. The dog nearly suffocated and had to spend a week in intensive care. I'll take my chances with my handgun skills, thank you.
- Tim K, Jaffrey

The shortage is not due to anything but the fear of the Socialist agenda in Washington & this once fine state. When the messiah was elected, gun & ammo sales went through the roof, just like when slick Willie was elected. This time it is compounded with the state being Democrat (read ANTI-GUN) run as well.

Hopefully its signs of the coming revolution to take back our country from these socialist know-how-to-ruin ....I mean RUN your life big government officials that run the show right now.
- Mark, Raymond

Um..Angelo? Who are you responding to? That isn't what my post said at all. You're just a troll, aren't you?
- Mike R., Bedford

Angelo,

You know nothing. Street punks usually get their guns illegally, and there are some statistics out there that show that most guns used in a crime that are traced come back as stolen. And you still get the federal background check when you buy a gun at a gun show such as the one held in Manchester every year (mistakenly called "swap meets"). Now I'm positive that you are a just a troll. Please find another story to comment on as you are now undoubtedtly trying to make guns and their responsible owners look bad.
- Tim K, Jaffrey

Any one that is buying a gun to protect your family better keep up on the laws. You shoot some one you better be able to prove that you had no other choice or you will be the one in cuffs. The shortage is due to the war.
If you want to save your self, get a dog. They all bark and then they all go away. It takes a special person to shoot some one, but every dog will bark and some will bite. And all bites hurt.
- John Croteau, Candia

Mike in Bedford - you don't think people should have a background check before getting a weapon? Anyone should be able to buy one?

No wonder these idiots in the streets have guns and you need to protect yourself at night. You let them get the guns freely at yard sales and swap meets!
- Angelo, Manchester, NH

I know every time I go to the range, I and my husband use over 300 rounds of ammunition for our various handguns. Mostly 9mm lately because like stated above we can't get .45 or .357 anywhere for that that matter.

I do agree that a .12 gauge shotgun is very effective, it is not convenient for concealed carry, or carry when you are on your snowmobile, in your car.. etc. I do use a lot of ammo because I want to be proficient with nay gun I own, shooting a .22 all the time is not going to help you when you are firing a .45. That is like driving a bicycle and trying to control a Harley on a straight path.

Finally to those who think a taser or the police will help you, please don't judge us for not wanting to believe like you because:

I would much rather be judged by 12 peers, than carried by 6 family.
- Nancy Crowley, Manchester

Angelo - are you for real??

Your post is so very, VERY wrong on so many levels that I'm beginning to think that you are just a gun-hating troll. Sawed-off shotguns are for 1930's gangster and Mad Max movies. A well-placed shot from a .45 is much safer for dozens of reasons. I shudder at the thought that you may actually own guns. You're the type to give REAL responsible gun owners a bad name.
- Tim K, Jaffrey

I think Angelo in Manchester has seen too many action movies. For real people, a "sawn-off shotgun" is an AOW, an Any Other Weapon according to federal law. If you have not passed a background check and obtained a federal tax stamp before shortening a shotgun barrel below 18 inches, you will be going to fed prison for ten years.

Angelo, people like you really don't help.
- Mike R., Bedford

Forty Five caliber handguns? They’re for punks.

The best and most “responsible” weapon for home defense is a sawn-off shotgun.
They offer a nice wide spread pattern which is really handy for the elderly who can’t aim too good without their glasses, or when you're startled out of sleep in the middle of the night and can’t see straight…
And the swath of destruction is limited to only a hundred feet or so, which means there’s no need to worry about stray bullets piercing walls, traveling down the street and accidentally killing your neighbors. Heck - the intimidation factor alone is worth the price of admission.

Praise the lord and pass the shells!
- Angelo, Manchester, NH

John in Bow, how many shots does that taser give you if you miss, or if a group of thugs is in your home threatening your family?

You're welcome to limit yourself to that, of course, just don't try to limit ME to that, and we're good.
- David Goss, Manchester

Remember - When seconds count, the police are only minutes away.
- WS, Manchester

John,

There's plenty for people who don't shop at Wal-Mart, or one of the fun shops who spend more time pushing paranoia than ordering ammo. Firing Line is chock full of Colt 6920 rifles, Rem LTRs, and has palettes of ammo in warehouses. Riley's is fully stocked lately, Skip's in Bristol has a reasonable inventory, and there are plenty of other places in southern NH that the Union Leader didn't bother interviewing.
- Jonathan, Bedford

- ed, londonderry

don't call any of your neighbors when someone breaks into your house. just let them kill you and your family.
- scott, chichester

Jonathan in Bedford....
Where are you talking about. I go to every Wal-mart and local shop and find very little gouging...and very limited supplies of everything. If you have a secret supplier you should go buy it all and make some $$ for yourself. Or, maybe you are just a loud mouth know nothing and like to see your comments in print.
- John, Manchester

Guns and Ammo are todays gold. Who want's to trade a gold coin? I will deal safety thru arms.
- mark, hooksett

Let's see - I own a gun shop and want to increase sales. Let's push the paranoia button. Guns will be outlawed! Get them now while you can! Sounds like an effective sales campaign and apparently it's worked. Suckers.
- ed, londonderry

Jake, don't be stupid. This isn't price gouging. Demand has gone up because of Obama's election and - if you remember economics 101 - price is a function of supply and demand. Supply is steady, demand is up so prices rise. And prices SHOULD rise. If the manufacturers and retailers weren't raising their prices, the shortage would be even WORSE than it is. In fact, the fact that there *IS* a shortage shows that the prices are too *LOW* if anything.

Prices will rise until demand drops to equal the available supply (because, of course, quantity demanded drops when prices rise)...or they'll stop rising when demand drops or supplies increase. It's how free markets allocate resources and it's the best way known to man.
- SHJ, Lebanon

When I come under attack, I'll defend myself with DEBT

Once the enemy sees how much I owe, they'll never be back
- Harry, Atkinson

The way to prevent this is to vote in Novembers election for a Republican government
- Frank, Londonderry

I've only noticed a small dropoff in certain types of Ammo, though business at the "local" gun shop I frequent always seems to be hopping. Has been since January 20th.

I attribute all of this to the fact that the people who now run the Federal Government are of the variety who believe that if only the Government and criminals own guns, this will somehow make us all safer. So I looked at history (that thing we're supposed to learn from) and found that there are several instances in the past where the government of a country outlawed individual firearm ownership for the "greater good." It's funny too, these countries had long names like "The National Socialist German Workers Party" which, despite what our uninformed liberal posters here will tell you - were socialist left wing extremists. In fact, all of the examples I found had left wing socialist governments. Hmmmm. Anyway, I looked for any hint whatsoever that a loss of the right to bear arms by anyone other than a country's government and criminals lead to a more peaceful society. Came up empty.
- Mike, Temple

I don't need ammo for my taser...
- john, bow

Why "gun enthusiasts"? How about just ordinary citizens interested in protecting their family and property? Not that I think there is anything wrong with being a gun enthusiast.
- Ken, Nashua

The title to the story is totally wrong. It's not a shortage of guns but ammunition. Wake up editors....
- Dave, Manchester

I haven't had any trouble finding any of the things mentioned in this article; just not at the fun shops that have been gouging people. Every time we suddenly see a new article appear about how the gun industry is slammed, you know it must be getting slow at Al's shop.
- Jonathan, Bedford

While it is indeed true that there are a few models that are still hard to get, in general, the gun shortage is seriously over.

Ammo is still a problem.
- Jeff C, Nashua, NH

I would say that alarmist news articles contribute their fair share to the problem.

No Johnnie. It's fer real. I've picked up a few guns myself this year too. I'm not worried about the democrats too much. But with the bottom of our civilization poised to drop out from beneath us, I'm not going to be the guy that brings a knife to a gun fight. I also know some people that are stockpiling food too. Just in case. If you can't see the potential dangers then you've got your head in the sand. It'll be people like you that I will be protecting my family from in 5-10 years.

And here's a nice bonus about that pistol, rifle, and shotgun - they will only go up in value!
- Biff, Canterbury

Despite the paranoia regarding home defence weapons ( 45? no, 12ga, yes, far less likey to need to fire it, but if you do more likely to end the problem instantly. ) I think the over all concern is the lefts constant proposals which would tax or price shooters out of thier chosen hobby. Tax proposals have ranged up to 500% for handgun ammo, usually introduced by some lame brained dimwit from the left coast who thinks handguns are only used to rob 7-11's and shoot ex-wives (never ex-husbands/boyfriends breaking into the home at 2 am). We know this administrations record on "gun control" and individually its not good for legal gun owners. The President has been quoted as saying he doesn't think people need to own firearms, his Chief of staff has introduced some severe anti-gun legislation, the Veep has been a huge backer of the so called Assaualt weapon ban ( never mind that assault weapons have not been available for almost 80 years, truth isn't the strongest weapon the anti-gun people use). There is a lot of hording to have ammo on hand in the event of quantity restrictions, excessive taxes, or "micro-stamping (another worthless proposal to increase the cost of ammo, alledgely to make tracing ammo at a crime scene easier which it has pretty much been proven it won't effectively do)
- jeff, Goffstown

What a joke. This is price gauging at its finest. The gun makers are preying on the fears of the weak and paranoid. Good for them.......its the American way.
- Jake, Manchester

Circle the wagon and break out the foil hats! This is ridiculous! "...creates a climate that makes people want to dig in -- and part of that urge is hoarding ammunition," Gauffin said."

An honest analysis would relate that this is neurotic psychological disease, not actions based on any logical thinking. Wow talk about delusional thinking. "Dig in," right! Lol!
- Johnnie, Manchester

Um. Actually, the DoD order to scrap casings was rescinded after outcry from the public and even government officials complaining about waste.

Does the mainstream media ever research? This is why I go to blogs for actual news now.
- Mike R., Bedford