Moses Lake police prepare for ammo shortage

MOSES LAKE - More people than ever are applying to buy a firearm, according to FBI data. Higher gun sales also mean more ammunition sold. Several law enforcement departments in Georgia, Texas and Nevada have reported a shortage in available ammunition. Moses Lake Police Captain Dave Ruffin said the department was prepared for the ammunition shortage being reported.

According to the FBI National Instant Background Check System, 519,209 firearm background checks were initiated in Washington state in 2012, with December having more checks (74,447) than any other month. The number of background checks is also 31 percent higher compared to 2011. Firearm background checks increased in all 50 states from November to December, according to the data. This does not mean a firearm was sold for each background check. Captain Dave Ruffin said speculation the government will enact stricter gun regulations led to people buying more ammunition at the first part of the year.

"We are OK for this next year," Ruffin said about the Moses Lake police ammunition supply. "We kind of expect the market to be saturated within a couple months and supply should begin to ease. This is also dependent on what kinds of regulations come out of Washington on gun control issues."

On Wednesday, President Obama initiated 23 executive actions designed to curb gun violence, including mandating background checks for all gun purchases and reinstating a ban on military-style assault weapons and limits to ammunition magazine rounds, according to a White House statement.

Jeff Ragan, an employee at Agency Firearms in Moses Lake, said assault rifles, ammo and supplies have been on short supply or unavailable since President Obama's re-election and the Newtown, Conn. shooting. Ragan said gun and ammunition suppliers had caught up with demand until recently. Ruffin said there was another ammunition shortage about four years ago and the department had to make changes.

"Since about that time, our agency has tried to stay ahead of the game by ordering as early as possible and keeping a small amount of inventory on hand from the previous year," Ruffin said. "Sometimes this is difficult as things come up."

The increased demand has put long back orders for ammunition for law enforcement that uses the state bid contracting process, according to Ruffin. He also said handgun ammunition seems easier to get, but certain rifle ammunition has been a problem. Prices for ammunition have also increased in recent years, for both law enforcement and civilians. Despite expectations for the shortage to ease, government regulations could affect when this happens.

"If there are initiatives to regulate or tax certain types of ammunition, your guess is as good as mine as to how long the shortages will last," Ruffin said.