SANDY SPRINGS, Ga. (AP) -- Police in metro Atlanta say a nationwide shortage of ammunition is causing them to delay training for officers and put orders for more bullets on back-order.

Douglas County Chief Deputy Stan Copeland says the department has had to push back a couple training exercises while scrambling to restock.

Jay Wallace, a supplier of police ammunition who owns Smyrna Police Distributors in Cobb County, blames the shortage partly on a huge spike in gun and ammunition sales in recent weeks.
Wallace said he can't recall an ammunition shortage this severe.
Sandy Springs Police Chief Terry Sult said a shortage of ammunition for training can become a safety issue because officers are not as proficient as they should be.