An investigation by The New York Times has revealed that a World War II-era ammunition factory, the Lake City Army Ammunition Plant, has been connected to numerous mass shootings. Originally established to supply the US military, the plant shifted its focus to commercial sales in 2011 and has since become one of the largest manufacturers of commercial AR-15 ammunition in the country.
As military demand declined, the facility gradually transitioned from producing ammunition for the military to catering to commercial markets. The Times reported that the plant has been operated by US government contractors since its establishment during World War II. However, by 2021, the rate of commercial production at the plant was over twice as high as the production rate for military ammunition.
While the majority of ammunition sold from Lake City ends up in the hands of law-abiding citizens, The Times found evidence linking it to several mass shootings. In fact, rounds manufactured at Lake City have been associated with at least a dozen mass shootings, including notorious incidents such as the 2012 Aurora movie theater shooting in Colorado, the 2018 Marjory Stoneman Douglas High School shooting in Florida, and the 2017 Las Vegas Strip mass shooting, which remains the deadliest in US history.
The report also highlights the case of the Buffalo supermarket shooting in May 2022, where the gunman referenced Lake City in his manifesto. He allegedly mentioned his plan to fire at security guards through a window and praised the ammunition made at Lake City, describing it as “the best barrier penetration ammo I can get.”
According to the National Criminal Justice Association, semiautomatic rifles like the AR-15 have become the most commonly used weapons in mass shootings across the United States. As of May 2022, there were approximately 20 million AR-style rifles in circulation, contributing to the staggering total of nearly 400 million guns owned by civilians in the country.
The connection between the Lake City Army Ammunition Plant and mass shootings raises questions about the proliferation and accessibility of firearms and ammunition in the United States. The investigation serves as a reminder of the ongoing challenges faced in addressing gun violence and implementing effective gun control measures.
(This article is based on the original report by Insider.)
