Wars leads to ammunition shortages at police departments nationwide

[ProSense]

Ammunition shortage squeezes police

By ESTES THOMPSON, Associated Press Writer
43 minutes ago

Troops training for and fighting the wars in Iraq and Afghanistan are firing more than 1 billion bullets a year, contributing to ammunition shortages hitting police departments nationwide and preventing some officers from training with the weapons they carry on patrol.

An Associated Press review of dozens of police and sheriff's departments found that many are struggling with delays of as long as a year for both handgun and rifle ammunition. And the shortages are resulting in prices as much as double what departments were paying just a year ago.

"There were warehouses full of it. Now, that isn't the case," said Al Aden, police chief in Pierre, S.D.

Departments in all parts of the country reported delays or reductions in training and, in at least one case, a proposal to use paint-ball guns in firing drills as a way to conserve real ammo.

Forgoing proper, repetitive weapons training comes with a price on the streets, police say, in diminished accuracy, quickness on the draw and basic decision-making skills.

"You are not going to be as sharp or as good, especially if an emergency situation comes up," said Sgt. James MacGillis, range master for the Milwaukee police. "The better-trained officer is the one that is less likely to use force."

The pinch is blamed on a skyrocketing demand for ammunition that followed the start of the wars in Iraq and Afghanistan, driven by the training needs of a military at war, and, ironically, police departments raising their own practice regiments following the Sept. 11 terrorist attacks. The increasingly voracious demand for copper and lead overseas, especially in China, has also been a factor.

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[Hydra]

1. K&R

the first good news I've heard all day!

Unless of course they have pulse rifles in reserve.

[aikoaiko]

2. Not to mention thats its even more expensive for civilian gun owners.

If only I had bought one less gun and 10000 rounds back in 2003. .308 has almost tripled.

[porphyrian]

3. They can save their brass and load their own just like everybody else. - n/t

[pushycat]

4. Tasers don't use bullets. Laser weapons don't either.

[krispos42]

5. The US made four trillion rounds of ammo during WW2

four thousand billion. 15 million men under arms, supplying ammunition to Russia and Britian as well.



Now we can't keep up with 160,000 men firing only a billion rounds a year.

Tell me again how Republicans want victory in Iraq because it is in our vital national security interest? Tell me again how they are willing to nationalize segments of the defense industry to achieve that victory, but the evil Democrats are stopping them?

[aikoaiko]

6. The .gov should subsidize ammo makers during peave and give away the unbought ammo like gov cheese

:)