Strolling into Shooters’ Supply Friday, Adam “Mick” McGuire’s eyes immediately focus on the gun store’s display racks and cabinets. “I’m here three or four times a week to see what’s new,” said McGuire, an avid gun collector. Lately, pickings have been slim. Getting new guns these day is getting more difficult for any firearms shop. The National Shooting Sports Foundation, a trade group, said buyers had completed 17.2 million background checks to buy weapons this year. That figure outstrips the previous record of 15.7 million in 2016. In October alone, buyers completed 1.7 million background checks – a 60 percent increase from a year earlier. On Friday, a constant stream of customers entering Shooters’ kept store owner Chad Taylor and his staff hopping. “It’s busy like this every day,” Taylor said. Guns of all types are flying off shelves, he added. With more people at home this year from the pandemic, he’s seen a 30 percent jump in hunting rifle sales over last year. “A lot more people are taking up hunting this year,” Taylor said. “Everyone just wants to get outside.” Christmas gift shopping also has added to the crushing demand, he said. It isn’t all gloom for gun buyers. Firearms are available, but finding specific models with limited production may be difficult. As an example, Taylor said he has shotguns on the shelf that are ready for immediate sale. But one shotgun model by American gunmaker Mossberg in its Thunder Ranch Series is scarce. “They may only make 20 of them a week,” he said.

Bullets are in short supply as well. This isn’t a situation where manufacturers are curbing production to increase prices, Taylor said. “Manufacturers are trying to make every bullet that they can,” he said. “It’s just the demand out there is high.” He accused other shops taking advantage of the situation. Taylor said he’s seen ammunition that Shooters’ Supply sells for $40 priced at $89 at some Ohio stores. “It’s unbelievable what some people are willing to pay,” he said.  [full article]