News

March 31, 2009
To: All Police & Sheriff’s Departments and U.S. Government Agencies
Subject: Ammunition Shortages, Micro-stamping

Since 2003/2004, I have sent four letters regarding ammunition shortages.  This is the fifth.  Enclosed with this letter is supporting data about these shortages.

Two weeks prior to the November election, ammunition shortages were beginning to ease.  Some hard to get 40cal & 223cal in ball and frangible had gone from 14-16 months delivery to 90 days.  That’s over.

Kiesler’s has been notified by several U.S. manufacturers that orders placed now will likely be delivered late this fall or into 2010. There has been no increase in state contract prices, but poor deliveries are going to persist.

We suggest that departments wait until their ammunition is in stock before scheduling a training date, and placing your orders now may eliminate a problem in the future. This is not a sales gimmick.

The micro-stamping and possibility of a 500% to 1000% increase in Federal Excise Tax is driving this shortage. At this moment, micro-stamping has not been perfected, but the demand on ammunition manufacturers is unprecedented since WW II. Sales to law enforcement officers are at historical highs, and the public is afraid of both taxes, availability, costs and micro-stamping.

With the U.S. Government hiring more Federal agents, huge sales of AR-15’s to the police community, and the stimulus package promising more police officers – shortages could be ugly.

Currently, our normal inventory of many millions of rounds has been 95% depleted.  Shipments will have to come from the factory; that’s why we advise you to order soon.
Thanks for being a Kiesler customer.
Most Sincerely,
 
Douglas M. Kiesler
CEO/Owner, Kiesler Police Supply

For the full story on micro-stamping, visit the following websites:

http://www.officer.com/print/Law-Enforcement-Technology/Microstamping-calls-the-shots/1$40213

http://sports.espn.go.com/outdoors/hunting/news/story?id=4021404
 
http://www.theday.com/re-ap.aspx?re=W/WY_AMMUNITION_SHORTAGE_CTOL-

05/31/2007 - The ammunition shortages that began early last year are continuing to worsen. We wish to advise every police and sheriff department or agency in our territory (whether or not you are a customer of Kiesler’s) that deliveries of duty and practice ammunition are horribly back ordered. If your department or agency is planning to schedule a training session in the upcoming spring and summer, please allow us to suggest postponing it until you have the ammunition in your possession. read full news release