California police train with airsoft guns amid shortage

[Drache]

A nationwide ammunition shortage has prompted many California police departments to find alternatives to using live firearms in training exercises, CBS San Francisco reports.

“Everybody is fighting for what is seems like a shrinking amount of ammunition out there,” said Lt. Louie Tirona, a firearms and tactics instructor for the Richmond Police Department who came up with the idea to use professional-grade airsoft guns in training drills.

“If we get to a situation where we’re low on ammunition, we can do simple drills with airsoft that would mimic what we would do with live fire,” said Lt. Tirona, who added the airsoft guns are much cheaper in comparison.

Neighboring Albany is joining Richmond in using airsoft guns for training.

“It’s become harder and harder to get the ammunition we need to train our officers on a timely basis,” Albany Sgt. Dave Bettencourt told CBS San Francisco. “We’re using airsoft as an affordable option to try to maintain the officers’ skills.”

http://www.washingtontimes.com/news/...amid-shortage/

[ThunderCactus]

Originally Posted by Drache

who added the airsoft guns are much cheaper in comparison.

So they're obviously not using PTWs in the role for which they were designed lol
4x the cost of a real M4, and what you make up for in cheap ammo, you lose in motors!

[Zack The Ripper]

I should think they may want to stick to GBB platforms if they want some nice realism in CQB. Still kinda on the pricey side rifle wise, but a lot more inexpensive than a PTW.

[phloudernow]

well thats a first I'm surprised theres an ammunition shortage?

[Brian McIlmoyle]

Originally Posted by phloudernow

well thats a first I'm surprised theres an ammunition shortage?

Homeland security has sequestered a large portion of 5.56 and is sopping up most of the production.

That and the run on everyone buying Ar-15s is making demand exceed production

[Brian McIlmoyle]

Originally Posted by ZackTheRipperC

I should think they may want to stick to GBB platforms if they want some nice realism in CQB. Still kinda on the pricey side rifle wise, but a lot more inexpensive than a PTW.

a number of GBBR platforms are prohibited in the USA .. we actually have wider access in Canada than they have in the US

[Deadpool]

Exactly!

Thanks to one stupid ATF agent.

[HeadlessChicken]

Originally Posted by Brian McIlmoyle

a number of GBBR platforms are prohibited in the USA .. we actually have wider access in Canada than they have in the US

I thought it was mainly WE rifles. I've seen what looked like G&G and WA GBBRs off guys like Milsim Junkie.

[LouisZimmerman]

The number that is being thrown around for the HSec purchase is 1.6 billion rounds.
HSec denies this. To quote from a Washington Times article:

"DHS officials said in fiscal year 2012 the agency purchased 103 million rounds and used 88 million rounds for training, and 28 million rounds during actual operation

Read more: http://www.washingtontimes.com/news/...#ixzz2RRa9O6ce
Follow us: @washtimes on Twitter"

Now I could possibly see the 88 million rounds for training, but must admit that 28 million rounds "during actual operation" is kind of terrifying... 8-O

Originally Posted by Brian McIlmoyle

Homeland security has sequestered a large portion of 5.56 and is sopping up most of the production.

That and the run on everyone buying Ar-15s is making demand exceed production

[BennyBoy]

LOL! They used half of that shooting at the pickup w/ the two Korean ladies.

[Warderp]

Originally Posted by LouisZimmerman

The number that is being thrown around for the HSec purchase is 1.6 billion rounds.
HSec denies this. To quote from a Washington Times article:

"DHS officials said in fiscal year 2012 the agency purchased 103 million rounds and used 88 million rounds for training, and 28 million rounds during actual operation

Read more: http://www.washingtontimes.com/news/...#ixzz2RRa9O6ce
Follow us: @washtimes on Twitter"

Now I could possibly see the 88 million rounds for training, but must admit that 28 million rounds "during actual operation" is kind of terrifying... 8-O

If you read the actual article you would have seen that they are not buying all that ammunition all at once, It will be over a period of time.
They have a VERY LARGE law enforcement body of which there are an equally large ammont of officers who have to be armed and supplied with ammuntion. In order for those officers to be proficient with thier weapons they need to shoot... a lot.

As Brian stated earlier, the american public heard "gun ban" in december, and the fastest way to get them to buy anything is to tell them "you cant have it". As a result of this firearms sales in the US spiked 800% which means everyone and their uncle and grandmother bought a gun, then they all bought another one just in case. All these new firearms that have been purchaced need to be "fed" because lets face it, if you buy an airsoft gun, you are going to put some BBs through it, they bought a real gun same deal.

It is not only the 5.56 ammo but 7.62, 9mm, .40, .45 and .22LR that are all facing supply shortages, why? becasue they are the "self defence" and "survival" rounds. The federal gun laws proposed were innitially speculated to be as restrictive as the "New York Safe act" which was brought in this year, where they can no longer have "high cap" mags. Rifles with detacable magazines are prohibited if they have 1 "military characteristic" (pistol grip, compensator, bayonette lugs, ext) additionally there are now defined limits on ammounts of ammo you are allowed to purchase in NYS so before the limits came into effect, people were stocking up. Basically they brought in more restrictions then Canadian gun laws. Where we only have "gun privilages" and they have a "right" to own them, it is somewhat understandable why there is an ammo/gun shortage.

What happened to the gun industry is the SAME thing that happens to the grocery stores when people hear there is a natural disaster coming. There is no overt conspiracy by thier government but panic buying by civilians who suddenly see "the end is nigh". Since some of the proposed gun laws have been "shot down", the panic buying has eased and supplies are again starting to free up (somewhat).

[localfreerider]

Originally Posted by BennyBoy

LOL! They used half of that shooting at the pickup w/ the two Korean ladies.

WOW, just, WOW! Make you wonder just how far we've come from the days of the communist's and nazi's.

"Go back to bed, America. Your government has figured out how it all transpired. Go back to bed, America. Your government is in control again. Here. Here's (American Idol). Watch this, shut up. Go back to bed, America. Here is (Americas Got Talent). Here is 56 channels of it! Watch these pituitary retards bang their f*ck*ng skulls together and congratulate you on living in the land of freedom. Here you go, America! You are free to do what we tell you! You are free to do what we tell you!” ― Bill Hicks

sorry, I had to