Recently Newsmax, among other news outlets around the nation, reported that USPS is among other federal agencies reportedly making large purchases of ammo – see US Postal Service Joins in Federal Ammo Purchases. USPS denies this allegation – here’s what they had to say:
USPS responds to erroneous report that it hoards ammunition
The U.S. Postal Service is not hoarding ammunition. The Postal Service Inspection Service is a law enforcement agency and its Inspectors carry firearms. Periodically, the Inspection Service must purchase ammunition for activities like firearms training, required annual firing range qualifications and for duty. As the Postal Service’s primary law enforcement arm, the Inspection Service is a highly specialized, professional organization, which performs investigative and security functions essential to a stable and sound postal system and the security of the U.S. Mail. The Postal Inspection Service has a proud and successful record of fighting criminals who misuse postal services and products to defraud, endanger or otherwise threaten the American public.
Dave Partenheimer
Manager, Media Relations
U.S. Postal Service
Over the past year or so there have been numerous news articles, comments, theories, etc. regarding federal agencies, local law enforcement agencies, and the general public hoarding ammunition – is any of this true? Yes, I have found that there is a degree of truth to ‘some’ of these reports…mostly the hoarding of 22 caliber shells by the general public. Even close friends of mine, who are avid gun owners, hunters, and target shooters, tell me that they have been having problems purchasing 22 calibers sells for practice shooting – that the stores where they make these purchases run out of their chosen shells very quickly and have to order more.
I will not speculate here as to why they’re doing this other than to say that it is my belief that each of these people are afraid that their right to purchase firearms and ammunition is under attack or ‘may be’ under attack soon…whether this is true or not isn’t driving these citizens personal hoarding – just the fact that hundreds of rumors around this nation regarding this subject is making many of these people feel that since they are not ‘certain’ whether or not the rumors are true they feel they must make their purchase now…not later. 
Do I believe USPS is hoarding ammo? no, I do not. Do I believe that federal agencies is hoarding ammo? I don’t know and don’t want to speculate. Do I believe the general public is hoarding ammo? yes, I know they are. Whether justified or not…it is happening all across the nation
Rick Owens
Postal Employee Network