The Loadout Blog

News|Industry News

By Drew Bryant
June 22nd, 2022, theloadoutblog.com

On June 15th Larry Keane of the National Shooting Sports Foundation sent out a tweet that went viral within the firearms community. In that tweet Keane stated that the U.S. Military is considering restricting the Lake City plant from selling M855 ammunition to the commercial market.

Lake City ammunition plant produces the vast majority of 5.56 ammunition for the military. Traditionally, the ammunition manufacturer was able to sell surplus ammunition to the consumer market. Surplus ammunition makes up about 30% of the marketplace, according to industry estimates. If Lake City was restricted from selling ammunition to the commercial market it would lead to a price influx of 5.56 ammunition.

Over the past few years the prices of ammunition has risen due to the influx of gun ownership during covid lockdowns and civil unrest. Over the past year or so prices for 5.56 have started to come down. Currently on Ammoseek, 5.56 ammunition is between $.43-.46 cent a round. Which is down greatly from $1.50 a round or higher during covid.

As, now we do not know if this will take place this something to be aware of and mindful of. Larry Keane, is the Senior Vice President of Government & Public Affairs, Assistant Secretary and General Counsel to NSSF. His position as General Counsel gives him information that most people wouldn’t be privy too. Which makes him a reliable source of information on this issue. As, of right now much more can’t be said regarding his statements nor do we want to indulge in undue speculation on that front.

Current Developments

As, of today there isn’t any new developments on Lake City to stop selling 5.56(M855) ammunition to the consumer market. National Shooting Sports foundation has released as statement in regards to the potential restriction of selling surplus 5.56 ammunition to the consumer market. Yesterday, Larry Keane address the validity of his statement with White House Deputy Press Secretary, Andrew Bates. The press release from NSSF and the Twitter thread from Larry Keane will be provided below.

Press Release

NSSF’s Mark Olivia has provided a further statement:

NSSF has been in contact with officials at Winchester Ammunition regarding the Biden administration’s consideration of halting sales of excess M855/SS109 ammunition. Winchester was informed that the government is considering restricting the manufacturing and commercial sale of legal ammunition produced at the Lake City, Mo., facility.

This restrictive action would immediately jeopardize 400-500 jobs, significantly reduce the availability of ammunition in the marketplace, and put the nation’s warfighting readiness at risk. Both NSSF and Winchester strongly oppose this action.

NSSF is working with Senators and Members of Congress to appraise them of these developments and turn back this counterproductive policy. Winchester officials are actively engaged with government leaders in Washington, D.C., to ensure their full understanding of the negative implications related to this type of sudden and reactive action.

This policy of ceasing the sale of excess ammunition is ill-timed and jeopardizes the fragile negotiations of the framework deal that was agreed to by the bipartisan group of Senators. Senators specifically requested The White House allow the Senate to negotiate in good faith and without interference to arrive at their agreement.

This policy to deny the sale of excess ammunition not only would freeze over 30 percent of the 5.56 mm/.223 caliber ammunition used by law-abiding gun owners, it risks the ammunition industry’s ability to surge production capacity for national defense if the costs to maintain the present workforce isn’t recouped through sales to the civilian market.

This threat of restricting ammunition sales is another example of political agendas interfering with lawful commerce of law-abiding gun owners. The Obama administration attempted a similar halt to sales of “green tip” ammunition through regulations proposed by the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives (ATF). That maneuver was scuttled after gun owners and Congress cried foul on the regulatory overreach.

Larry Keane’s Twitter Thread

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