For one reason or another, many stores are hard pressed to keep their businesses loaded with ammo.

Local shops are no exception. For about the last six months, the Carbondale Rural King store has been selling out of ammunition rapidly, especially for a variety of handguns, said Assistant Manager Ken Dunn.

"They're selling out and we're not getting any back in" fast enough to keep the shelves fully stocked, Dunn said.

State Rep. Brandon Phelps, D-Harrisburg, said gun rights are an extremely important issue in his district, and he has heard from constituents that some are buying more ammunition in anticipation of gun or ammunition bans and taxes they fear will be passed under President Barack Obama's administration.

"A lot of people think there are enough gun laws on the book," Phelps said. "I'm hoping (Obama) has enough on his plate with the economy and the recession that he won't try to reintroduce the Brady Ban."

Phelps said he has heard many expressions of fear that the recession will bring more violent crimes, and residents feel an extra need to protect themselves.

Shops that concentrate on shotgun sports are also feeling the pinch. Wright's in Pinckneyville is particularly well-known among trap shooters. Owner Stu Wright said though he doesn't deal with handguns, it has been a challenge keeping reloading components for shotgun shells stocked.

Makers try to keep up

Ammunition suppliers acknowledge a high demand for ammunition.

Winchester Ammunition said there has been increased interest in its products since last fall.

"To meet that increased demand, our operations are running 24 hours a day, seven days a week," the company said in a news release. "Our team is literally working around the clock to make quality ammunition available for purchase. We remain absolutely committed to meeting the growing needs of our customers."

Federal Premium Ammunition, a subsidiary of ATK, said it, too, is dealing with increased demand.

"Demand for our products is at an all-time high," the company said in a news release. "We continue to work diligently to meet the current demand and deliver quality products to our customers."

National trend

The phenomenon appears to be more national than local. Media outlets from Texas to Florida to Wisconsin have reported shortages of ammunition and reloading components. Some sources say rising military demand is corresponding with rising civilian demand for the same materials, creating limited supplies and high prices.

In an article published Wednesday, "The Great Recession: America Becomes Thrift Nation," Time magazine reported that since the recession began, 40 percent of people say they are more worried about personal safety. Citing SportsOneSource, a research firm that tracks sales, retail gun sales have jumped 39 percent this year and gun shops cannot keep up with the demand for ammunition, according to Time.