Ammo and reloading supply retailer Wideners.com recently sent out a press release with some rather interesting numbers, according to them their sales to customers in California has jumped 50%. This is due most likely to new laws that will start in 2018 that will force California residents to obtain a permit good for four years in order to purchase ammo. The post popular ammo with Californians is .223 followed by 9mm and .308. If you’re in California load up while you can!
Check out our buying ammo online article for a huge list of sources we use to buy ammo.
In the two months since 2016’s General Election, traffic from California is up 50% to Wideners.com. Nationwide traffic to the site has remained relatively static for the same period.
“There’s been a massive influx of California hunters and sport shooters who are stocking up in the wake of California’s new laws, no doubt about it.” Anne Taylor of Widener’s said. “There’s not just increased interest, it’s clear the gun owners who are buying are buying in bulk. We’ve seen our average order weight go up in the past couple months.”
Taylor points to sales data indicating the average quantity purchased by Californians is up 20% in the two months following the election compared to the same time period before. So, if the average customer bought 10 boxes in his or her order prior to the election, they’re now buying 12.
“We heard from a lot of customers in late December and early January who were confused about Prop 63,” Taylor said. “Many people seemed to think the background checks would start immediately.”
Starting January 1, 2018, California gun owners will no longer be able to buy ammunition online with only face-to-face transfers allowed inside the state. California is also mandating a background check for all ammunition purchases under Proposition 63
Percent Increase in Sales by Municipality:
Los Angeles Metro Area – 395%
San Francisco Metro Area – 417%
San Diego Metro Area – 161%
Sacramento Metro Area – 449%
Anaheim Metro Area – 264%
San Jose Metro Area – 233%
Note: Data based on IP Address of computer used to make purchase comparing the two-month period before and after 2016’s General Election. Municipalities such as San Francisco and Los Angeles already restrict online ammo purchases.
.223 rifle ammunition, the cartridges used in the popular AR-15 platform are seeing the largest surge among Californians with sales in the eight weeks following the election of double where they were in the eight weeks leading up to it.
9mm ammo and .308 rifle ammo are also experiencing large gains in California with increases of 60-80% – while sales remain static in those calibers across the rest of the United States.
“We expect this sort of rush will continue through the rest of the year. The face-to-face purchase requirement and other ammo regulations in Prop 63 shouldn’t impact shooters until the first day of 2018. We certainly don’t expect people passionate about the shooting sports will suddenly give up that passion.” Taylor said.
