Surplus Brass Case Ban: Ammunition Prices Will Go Up
ByFor many years, the military has auctioned off their fired brass cases, allowing the economical remanufacture of ammunition as an affordable purchasing option to citizens, shooting clubs, and law enforcement agencies. That has all come to a crashing end.
As of Friday, March 13, the US Government has now ordered that all surplus brass cases be mutilated (rendered unusable) prior to sale. This means that millions of rounds of ammunition in .223, .308, 9mm, and .50 BMG will no longer be manufactured.
Let me say that again: because of the current administration, millions of rounds of ammunition, in some of the most popular calibers, have just disappeared from the supply channels.
If you think that is overstating the case, take a look at the Georgia Arms website. Georgia Arms is an ammunition manufacturer located just west of Atlanta. Georgia Arms produces millions of rounds of ammo for citizens and law enforcement agencies every year. As a direct result of the ban on fired brass cases, Georgia Arms has immediately suspended the sale of all .223 and .308 ammunition.
Over at The Shooting Wire, Jim Shepherd reported that Georgia Arms may now have to lay off up to 30 people because of this ban. So much for job creation in the current administration.
As I have reported in previous articles, ammunition prices have been going up. Now, they might just skyrocket.
Basic economics tells us that where supply and demand meet, you will find the market price. Well, the supply side just took a hit, meaning prices will go up. Additionally, fear of additional bans will drive demand up, meaning even higher prices.
Don’t think there will be additional ammunition bans? Think again. With the wave of a pen, the Obama administration can suspend the imports of ammunition from outside of the USA. No laws or Congressional input needed. So, next Monday, I could be writing about how Wolf ammunition will no longer be imported.
Get involved! Join the NRA! Contact your elected representatives!
8 Comments
March 16th, 2009 at 1:29 pm
Is there a reason for DOD to make this change?
Who signed the order ?
Was this a directive form Obama ?
Can it be stopped ?
Give us some names, so we can start writing !!
March 16th, 2009 at 4:18 pm
this ban sucks! and its just the beginning i think
March 17th, 2009 at 7:04 am
Hey folks this looks like it’s real. Please, take the time to get off a quick message to your senators and congressman.
Here is a sample…which is what I sent my senators and congressman:
“Dear (Senator/Congressman),
It has come to my attention that an agency of the Department of Defense has just directed that all military fired brass must be destroyed. As a taxpayer, I oppose this action as the sale of spent military brass is a source of income that, to a degree, offsets other government expenditures.
In addition, as one that participates in military rifle shooting matches, it reduces my option to buy reloaded ammunition at a reasonable cost. We must remember, ownership of government property whether new, excess or surplus, is ultimately by the people.
As my (senator/congressman), I request you to represent me and take the necessary actions to reverse this directive by the Department of Defense.
Thank you,
(Signed)
(City, State)”
June 19th, 2009 at 11:35 am
This ban is not due to Mr. Obama or the democrats but is put in place by the new rounds manufacturers to drive the remanufactures out of business thereby increasing the market pressure and price increase for new rounds. At 0.26/round for a 40 (Walmart) practice round cannot be competed with by the new round manufacturers. More analysis and less blame would help. No one is going to take away the right to bear arms. We could just kill off stupid and violent people. The master race, that’s what we need. Shame that a law against stupidity cannot be legislated.
June 19th, 2009 at 11:23 pm
Steve,
What information do you have that private enterprise (Federal, Winchester, Remington, etc.) was able to get the ban in place? The new rule was put into place by the Department of Defense, which is part of the government that works directly for the President.
The ammo you buy at Walmart is all new ammo, not remanufactured/reloaded stuff, so the major manufacturers are not competing against that stuff–they make it.
August 15th, 2009 at 1:14 pm
I read alot of “We hear” and “we were told” but I am interested where the actual Executive Order or DoD Internal Policy or presendential napkin scribble indicates this to be true. I have not been able to find it other than ammunition retailers telling me it to exist.
September 1st, 2009 at 3:31 am
You can still buy brass,,,, I am looking at an auction right now 9mm,223, 12 ga. military surplus
September 1st, 2009 at 5:09 pm
Jeff,
Yes, you can once again buy brass. After a lot of gun owners got involved, the order was rescinded, and things went back to “normal.” Check out the update to this story.
Richard