Ammo Shortage Has Oklahoma State Rep. Wanting Answers

Why can't stores keep ammunition in stock?

The shortage has one Oklahoma lawmaker asking questions.

Oklahoma State Rep. Mike Ritze (R-Tulsa) says he's heard from his constituents about the long lines and the lack of ammo in several Green Country stores.

He's sent letters to Walmart and Academy Sports asking why they can't keep their shelves stocked.

Bill Morgan is a gun dealer from Georgia.

He packed up his trailer after a weekend selling gun magazines at a Tulsa gun show.

He and other store owners across the country say ammo is still hard to find.

Reporter: "Is the demand still up for when they come into your shop?

Morgan: "Still on ,22s and .22 mags. We've even, as a small shop, had to ration 100 rounds per customer, per day."

That lack of bullets available to gun owners has state representative Mike Ritze worried.

"I just want to get to the bottom of it, because I have never seen a shortage in my recent history when you go to Walmart and the shelves are barren and they ration them," Ritze said.

His letter to Walmart and Academy stores in his district ask the retailers if the ammo shortage is a national problem or a local one.

He's also curious if manufacturers plan to increase ammo production.

"I have seen a little bit, but it's not anything that I can say that we're seeing a turnaround yet," Ritze said.

Ritze said he's heard of a lot of reasons why the shortage still exists.

In January, Walmart set purchasing limits for ammo.

Three boxes of ammo, per customer, per day.

Morgan said he understands why retailers like Walmart are still seeing empty shelves.

"They're probably one of the largest retailers in the nation, so therefore people shop there more and they probably get hit harder than the smaller shops," Morgan said.

News On 6 reached out to Walmart for a comment on the current status of their ammo purchasing limit.

They didn't respond to our request for comment.

Ritze said depending on the response from the retailers, he may call for legislative hearings at the State Capitol during the next legislative session.