[Strategerist]

My expertise extends to some level of understanding of how federal contracting works, and having looked beyond the panic hype articles about the non-existent purchase of 1.6 billion rounds.

I’m no expert on the details of the ammunition market or ammo importing. Logic dictates that if DHS has been reducing ammo purchases over the last few years, they can’t be the cause of the ammo shortage. The real cause is similar to a panic run on the banks - it started with Newtown, and then when the shortages started it caused MORE people to panic and go stock up on ammo. It’s all psychological.

As many people have pointed out, there are shortages for rounds that DHS has not purchased or solicited for at all.

All I have is my Dad’s old Browning Auto 5 and I just haven’t had time to shoot for ages though I really enjoy sporting clays.

[DBrow]

“As many people have pointed out, there are shortages for rounds that DHS has not purchased or solicited for at all.”

But they all have brass, lead, primers and factory time in common.

[JGT]

How do you know DHS ammo purchases have decreased over the last couple of years? Because a statement released by the DHS says so? Even if you are correct that the purchaes have been decreasing and this is more panic hyperbole, it is nevertheless real, regardless of purchases. Real or not, the people believe it is and that accounts for the panic buying (as you pointed out). But just because actions are based on irrational actions or due to the law of unintended consequences, does not make them any less real. Panic buying of ammo still depletes the ammo supply, regardless of the true cause of that panic.