South Carolinians may still fear crime and federal regulation but their rush to stockpile guns and ammo appears to be waning, some Greenville County firearms dealers say.
Firearms are not as hard to find as they were earlier in the year, and gun owners can find ammunition, even if their purchases are limited or they cannot find the brand they want, dealers told The Greenville News.
"It's still an interesting time period but it is slowing down some and getting back to a little bit more maintainable area," said Brad Reece, a co-owner of James Firearm and Palmetto State Defense in Greer.
Mike Jones, a manager of The Gun Shop and Indoor Range in Simpsonville, said he thinks firearms are now readily available except for newer models, which he said is typical.
"I think the only thing you really see a shortage of is .22 ammo," he said. "It's not for self-defense. But for some reason people have just bought it up and really scalped the prices on them."
The run on guns and ammo began in 2008, dealers said, after the election of President Barack Obama spurred fears of gun and ammunition restrictions or regulation.