Law enforcement feeling the ammunition pinch

kpic ^ | May 13, 2009 | Lindsey Kovacevich

[JoeProBono]

ROSEBURG, Ore. -- Law enforcement has seen the same problem the general public has with trouble getting ammunition because of the shortage.

Police agencies are in the same boat as everyone else, it's tough to get ammunition.

"We've been told that we can be put on a waiting list, and I've had some distributors just laugh when I've called them to get inquiries about purchasing ammunition," said Roseburg Police Sgt. Aaron Dunbar

The trouble is, officers need the ammo for their daily jobs, and in order to undergo training.

Some agencies change out ammunition about once a year to keep it fresh, so new training tactics are having to be implemented.

Sgt. Dunbar added, "We have actually changed or modified our training practices. We are still going to the range, we are still providing training for our officers, but they are not firing as many rounds when they go to the range. We are also looking at having access to some computer based training."

The budget cuts in our county has put another snag in the equation, because the price of ammo has increased significantly.

Douglas County Sheriff's spokesman Deputy Dwes Hutson says, "We shop around and get the best price. We have to make our dollar go as far as we possibly can, just like everyone else, we are feeling budget cuts and the economy, so we want to make sure we get as much value as possible out of our dollar."

Police officials say they stock up and order early to make sure they have enough.

[JoeProBono]

[ColdSteelTalon]

The solution is citizens militias

[Paladin2]

So, how many rounds per month do the local police and sheriff’s deputies typically squeeze off?

[SkyDancer]

They shooting it all up at the range or at citizens ...???

[E.Allen]

Typical qualifications take 60 rnds, with one or two practice sessions of 60 rnds

[Paladin2]

thnx.

[JoeProBono]

Watchit Bud

[SkyDancer]

Was that the one bullet allowed he’s loading????

[Red in Blue PA]

Barney is the one person who would not be affected by the current ammunition shortage.

[EEDUDE]

How often does one need to re qualify? It it an annual thing?

[eyeamok]

Now is the time for the ammunition manufacturers to Demand only GOLD and SILVER COIN for Payment. Then watch Government Gone Wild.

[Doohickey]

Some agencies change out ammunition about once a year to keep it fresh, so new training tactics are having to be implemented.

What the hell for?

[mamelukesabre]

Per officer??

Very very few...on average.

[mamelukesabre]

5 boxes a year per officer on average. Or so I’ve been told.

[chuckles]

My daughter just went through Police Academy and they issued her 500 rounds. They usually just order all the ammo from one place and one brand. This year they spent most of the semester collecting various boxes of ammo from various places. Many had at least 4 brands of ammo.

There were a few that complained about having to qualify with one brand @ 124grn and another brand @ 115grn bullets on the same target.

[Lurker]

5 boxes a year per officer on average.

Yea, that's about right. That's 250 rounds YEAR for the average cop. I shoot that before lunch on a Saturday at the range.

Hell, that's a slow day at the reloading press for me.

[mamelukesabre]

Thats only 125 rounds of high dollar self defense hollowpoints.

[castlebrew]

Ditto at the range. And that's about a half-hour on the reloader (I love my Dillon 650XL!)

[neb52]

Can’t they recycle the brass from the range or are they to good for that? Is revamping ammo stock once a year a little extreme?

[Squantos]

Last statement seems to negate the title Joe.