Crime & Safety
Police Chief: Ammo Demand ‘Extremely High’ as Nation Talks Gun Control
The Orland Park Police Department bumped up their yearly purchase of ammunition to thwart growing scarcity, as gun and ammunition suppliers have seen sharp increases in purchases with debates on gun control continuing across the country.
For about the last 12 years, the Orland Park Police Department had to mostly compete with the United State Armed Forces for weapons and ammunition.
But continuing talks for and against heightened gun control laws, since the December Sandy Hook Elementary School shooting, has led to a new rise in gun and ammunition demand from civilians.
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“We’re finding that ammunition is drying up,” said Orland Park Police Chief Tim McCarthy Monday night. “There appears to be a fear that assault weapons may be banned in Illinois. I don’t know where that’s going to go, but certainly it’s all over television, all over the news and as a result the gun shops have been selling guns. They can’t get them fast enough. There are lines at the gun shows. There’s no question it’s having an effect on the supply.”
McCarthy asked Orland Park trustees Monday night during the public safety committee meeting to move up the department’s yearly ammunition purchase, before prices increase on Feb. 6 from supplier Ray O'Herron Co.
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Later during the full village board meeting, attending trustees all voted in favor of up to a $9,933 purchase of .40 caliber bullets for pistols and 5.56 mm rounds for M4 rifle carbines.
“The demand has been extremely high, so we wanted to get our order in promptly,” McCarthy said. “Not only is there competition with the military but competition domestically as well.”
While McCarthy said the department is well stocked, Orland Park officers have been transitioning from shotguns to M4 rifles, and each officer needs to fire 500 rounds to be certified for carrying and operating the new guns. Officers then need to re-qualify periodically throughout the year, McCarthy said.
Orland Park officers have not shot anyone since James N. Hayes in 2004, who witnesses said attempted to force an officer off a third floor balcony.
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