Ammo Harder to Come By for Some Police Departments

Gan Matthews, NEWS 9

NORMAN, Oklahoma -- Local law enforcement agencies in the state have run into a few speed bumps in the past few years when it comes to buying ammunition.

Like any other law enforcement agency, officers with the Inspector General's Office of DHS need firearms, training, and ammunition. The IG's office normally orders 15,000 rounds a year.

"We have not had a problem doing that the last couple of years but prices have gone up, and it was a little more difficult to find the ammunition we us," said Mike Fairless, Inspector General-DHS.

Officials at the Norman Police Department said they have enough ammunition right now, but they have had some procurement problems in the last couple of years. Officials at the department said there's one main theory as to why.

"The ammunition manufacturers were redirecting their efforts toward the military ammunition needs and reducing the production of civilian ammunition," said Norman Police Capt. Leonard Judy.

Competition with the military may be a main reason, but there is an alternative theory, namely, that law enforcement is also competing against private citizens who are stockpiling ammo. The theory is that gun owners were worried the Obama administration would restrict ammunition sales, so gun owners began to hoard ammo.

"I think hoarding is probably out there. I think that's probably happening, at least with certain individuals or organizations," Fairless said.

But state and local law enforcement agencies said they are locked and loaded for now.

Purcell police said because of supply difficulties they may have to buy another type of ammunition than the kind they normally use.