Guns Becoming Scarce

Either folks are starting to pay attention and get prepared, or they're nervous about what's coming politically that might impact their ability to buy guns and ammo. The result is that firearm manufacturers are feeling the pressure of a market that is rapidly heating up.  An example of what's happening can be seen in the recent statement issued by Ruger that they are suspending all new orders for firearms, because they can't keep up with demand. Here's their official statement: 

March 21, 2012 
Sturm, Ruger & Company, Inc. (NYSE: RGR), announced today that for the first quarter 2012, the Company has received orders for more than one million units. Therefore, the Company has temporarily suspended the acceptance of new orders.

Chief Executive Officer Michael O. Fifer made the following comments:

• The Company's Retailer Programs that were offered from January 1, 2012 through February 29, 2012 were very successful and generated significant orders from retailers to independent wholesale distributors for Ruger firearms.

• Year-to-date, the independent wholesale distributors placed orders with the Company for more than one million Ruger firearms.

• Despite the Company's continuing successful efforts to increase production rates, the incoming order rate exceeds our capacity to rapidly fulfill these orders. Consequently, the Company has temporarily suspended the acceptance of new orders.

• The Company expects to resume the normal acceptance of orders by the end of May 2012