Maybe all of those new shooters Barry helped create have figured out that they'd better get something NOT in .22 if they want to go plinking with any regularity...
Combination of Pre X mas Black Friday sales, and folks worried about others shopping in their homes and or businesses, or helping you make a selection at your ATM, and or wishing to possess your wheels.
I hope no one need stheir firearm for anything other than target shooting or hunting, but guns and ammo are in high demand.
Probably just their excuse for someone forgetting to reorder all their guns. "Hey Jimmy. Tell everyone there's a handgun rush so no one gets bent out of shape we don't have any guns!"
Must have been one heck of a black friday sale. I know there were lines/limits at Dicks to take advantage of some of the doorbuster ads on 5.56 blue tip ammo. Other than that everything seems normal in this area.