Federal Premium Sets Record Straight On Ammunition Shortage

by
posted on December 20, 2020
** When you buy products through the links on our site, we may earn a commission that supports NRA's mission to protect, preserve and defend the Second Amendment. **
Jason Vanderbrink, the president of Federal, CCI, Speer and Remington, spoke out against some of the misinformation that has circulated amongst the shooting community in regards to the ammunition shortage and the role ammunition producers have had in it. In a video released yesterday, Vanderbrink dispelled the rumors that the ammunition producers are not producing ammunition, storing ammunition in secret warehouses or only selling new ammunition to specific customers. The spread of this information through various outlets has sparked undeserved criticism aimed at the ammunition producers.

Vanderbrink stated that this year alone, hundreds of new employees were brought on to increase production to try and meet the huge demand in the market for ammunition. He stated that this year, seven million new shooters have joined the community since March, on top of the millions more customers already in the market. If every new user bought two boxes of ammunition, a conservative estimate, it would mean a total of 700 million rounds of ammunition the three factories would have to produce. 

Producing that amount of ammunition just for the estimate for new users is a massive undertaking and not something that can be achieved in just nine months. Vanderbrink noted that it takes months to train new employees along with the logistics of acquiring the large amount of raw materials needed to meet current demand. On top of that, the effects of COVID-19 mean that the factories have to take into account the health and safety of its employees, which is paramount. Despite what some may think, the factories are indeed making and shipping ammunition and not doing what is suggested through the false rumors. To hear more, watch the video above.

Latest

Shortage
Shortage

Suppressor Demand Outpaces Production

The demand for suppressors is setting new records. National Firearm Act (NFA) item purchases in September—primarily suppressors—more than doubled compared to the same month in 2025.

Book Review | Five Decades of a Fabulous Firearm: Celebrating the 50th Anniversary of the Beretta 92 Pistol Series

In this wide-ranging book, you’ll find a history of Beretta, discussion of developments leading to the Model 1951/951 Brigadier, its evolution into the Model 92 and the U.S. military’s adoption of the platform (as the M9) in 1985.

Review: Galco Revenger Holster & SB7 Gun Belt

For those who choose to carry a finely finished, K-frame revolver, Galco offers one of its finest concealed-carry setups in the form of its Revenger holster and SB7 gun belt.

Rimfire Power: The Primary Arms CLx 1-6x24 mm Riflescope with ACSS 22LR G2 Reticle

Low-power variable optics have become popular options for today's AR-15s and other modern sporting rifles, and Primary Arms now offers an option tailored for rimfire versions of those same guns.

Gun of the Week: Walther Arms PDP F-Series Pro-X PMM

One of Walther Arms' recent introductions combines the features of several other PDP handguns, meaning the Walther PDP F-Series Pro-X PMM is packed with a number of different design elements.

The Armed Citizen® Oct. 30, 2026

Read today's "The Armed Citizen" entry for real stories of law-abiding citizens, past and present, who used their firearms to save lives.

Interests



Get the best of American Rifleman delivered to your inbox.