Bman505
09-25-2009, 10:05 AM
Americans are arming themselves more than ever before. The FBI's National Background Check system reports that 6.1 million people have undergone background checks for gun sales from January to May this year. But those guns might not be loaded. WFMZ's Pam Cunningham reports.
>> REPORTER: At the shooting range every bullet costs more than it did this time last year. And at the Gun Gallery in Mt. Penn they're busy.
>> TARYN FISHER: We even stay here late, we don't get out on time. I come people are waiting at the door to come in. The first thing they ask for is a box of ammo.
>> REPORTER: Fisher and her husband have owned the business for 25 years. She points out which box is the most expensive, the rounds for the 380 caliber.
>> FISHER: There are certain calibers pretty much you might want to say obsolete to get because you just can't get them, I might get one case shipped in like a 4 month period.
>> REPORTER: She says prices have gone up 20 percent. And she says it has everything to do with supply and demand.
>> FISHER: I'm on the phone everyday trying to get as much ammo as much as I can. There's been a shortage ever since Obama got elected in November.
>> REPORTER: Every round is so expensive that some gun owners are trying to do what they can to save money.
>> TOM DALTON: I also reload my own ammunition as well. That's where you save your cases you find an accurate powder for you. You can basically make your own rounds.
>> REPORTER: The cost of reloading has also gone up.
>> DALTON: Anytime you see a down turn in the economy you've always seen a rise in ammunition sales and gun sales.
>> REPORTER: Dalton admits he's hoarding cases of ammunition and says he'll keep doing it until Obama is out of office, even though the president's only gun related action has allowed people to carry guns in National Parks. Dalton says it's only a matter of time.
>> DALTON: He's got to get the economy, health care under control, the country basically back on track before he goes attacking people's 2nd amendment rights.
>> REPORTER: Right now it's good for business. And they warn ammo is not just expensive for target practice; hunters in Pennsylvania might notice their ammo costs more too. Pam Cunningham, 69 News, Berks Edition (http://wfmz.com/view/?id=1272858)
>> REPORTER: At the shooting range every bullet costs more than it did this time last year. And at the Gun Gallery in Mt. Penn they're busy.
>> TARYN FISHER: We even stay here late, we don't get out on time. I come people are waiting at the door to come in. The first thing they ask for is a box of ammo.
>> REPORTER: Fisher and her husband have owned the business for 25 years. She points out which box is the most expensive, the rounds for the 380 caliber.
>> FISHER: There are certain calibers pretty much you might want to say obsolete to get because you just can't get them, I might get one case shipped in like a 4 month period.
>> REPORTER: She says prices have gone up 20 percent. And she says it has everything to do with supply and demand.
>> FISHER: I'm on the phone everyday trying to get as much ammo as much as I can. There's been a shortage ever since Obama got elected in November.
>> REPORTER: Every round is so expensive that some gun owners are trying to do what they can to save money.
>> TOM DALTON: I also reload my own ammunition as well. That's where you save your cases you find an accurate powder for you. You can basically make your own rounds.
>> REPORTER: The cost of reloading has also gone up.
>> DALTON: Anytime you see a down turn in the economy you've always seen a rise in ammunition sales and gun sales.
>> REPORTER: Dalton admits he's hoarding cases of ammunition and says he'll keep doing it until Obama is out of office, even though the president's only gun related action has allowed people to carry guns in National Parks. Dalton says it's only a matter of time.
>> DALTON: He's got to get the economy, health care under control, the country basically back on track before he goes attacking people's 2nd amendment rights.
>> REPORTER: Right now it's good for business. And they warn ammo is not just expensive for target practice; hunters in Pennsylvania might notice their ammo costs more too. Pam Cunningham, 69 News, Berks Edition (http://wfmz.com/view/?id=1272858)