2020 Ammo Shortage Hornady Match Ammunition December 23, 2020 By Keith Wood Firearm and ammunition retailers and wholesalers were sitting on piles of inventory during January 2020. By December 2020, the same racks and shelves are empty. And there is no sign of relief in sight. Gun owners are stockpiling — and shooting less. So, what happened? The year 2020 happened. Take an election year with significant consequences for gun rights and add a global pandemic event. Then, factor in the rioting in cities and urban centers throughout the U.S., and you just created an unprecedented demand for self-defense tools. Still, many consumers can’t fathom the lack of availability of ammunition. To search for an understanding, Guns & Ammo’s staff reached out to executives from several ammunition makers for a clearer picture of what is going on.