All you say is fine and I don’t have a deal with it.
I am just saying what people are doing now does not fit the definition of ‘hoarding’.
What it clearly represents is a number of people whose eyes have opened and thought that perhaps they need to make sure they have some ammo for their weapons, because many people don’t normally buy ammo to last them very long. Just enough to have a little extra around after they burn through what they have at the range.
It’s not hoarding (AFTER trouble occurs). It is stockpiling (BEFORE trouble MIGHT occur). Hoarding has an impicit negative connotation, like you’re trying to get more than you are allowed at others’ expense. Stockpiling, aka ‘preparing’ has a positive connotation because you’re getting things ready before there MIGHT be trouble so you won’t be a drain/dependent on anyone else.
I make this distinction on purpose because people have in the past demonized those that planned ahead as hoarders, when it simply isn’t true. Everyone else could have saw what was going on beforehand, and we warned some, and they either laughed or thought we were nuts, or they too put some things aside.
But I follow the boy scout motto - be prepared. I will be damned if anyone is going to portray me and others who prepare for worst case possibilities into villains to focus hate upon, just for being personally responsible for my family and spending my money on supplies my family and some friends might need if an emergency situation arises.
The important line between good "stockpiling" and bad "hoarding" is not the occurrence of the event being prepared for, but rather the point where the normal price/demand relationship breaks down. People who started buying up ammunition in May of 2007 would have by their actions served to encourage manufacturers to produce more than they otherwise would have--a useful function. People who are buying in May 2009 have no such effect, because manufacturers are already producing all they can. Further, while rising prices normally serve to discourage people to refrain from buying things they won't need immediately, the scarcity of ammunition is causing to people to buy ammo if they think they might need it, even if they otherwise would not do so.
What's wrong with "stockpiling" money so that one can purchase goods and services during a crisis? If the owners of a commodity wish to sell to me at inflated prices, how does my "stockpiling" suddenly become "hoarding"?