Americans Are Buying Huge Amounts of 5.56 Ammunition as Prices Surge 39 Percent

Amid the Israel–Hamas war and fears of a wider conflict, Americans appear to be panic-buying ammunition, data show.

A customer shops for ammunition at Lawful Defense in Gainesville, Fla., on April 19, 2023. Nanette Holt/The Epoch Times

As the Israel–Hamas war continues, a number of Americans are purchasing more ammunition, data show.

Sales of 5.56 NATO caliber ammunition from popular brands surged 39 percent from 36 cents per round to 50 cents per round from Oct. 14 to Oct. 22, according to Ammo Prices Now, a tracking website. The 39-percent spike is much higher than in February and March 2022 after Russia invaded Ukraine, the data show.