I am almost hesitant to add to the multiple concerns we all already have.  The rumor that the government has bought a large quantity of ammunition has been reported in many places, though I cannot verify the truth.  So there was quite an ammunition shortage for a time.    But now, the Last primary lead smelter is closing in Herculaneum, Missouri.  This smelter had it's own, local lead mine.

    The Doe Run lead smelter  will lay off 145 employees and 73 contractors the end of December.  The reason given for closing is it is not economical to install new pollution controls for sulfur dioxide emissions, which is demanded by the Environmental Protection Agency.

    Now think about this, we are now a nation that does not produce lead from ore, though we still have secondary, reclycing plants. 

    This is a concern for national defense, how do we get bullets for our troops?  And then of course, how do we as shooters get bullets?  The supply will become limited.  We should not have to depend upon importing ammunition components.  This has obvious, inherent dangers. 

    This is another reduction in our status as a large, powerful nation.  Even without the description of large, and powerful, how about just staying together, as a free nation.  This does not bode well, especially with so many other freedom degraders.