{"id":26583,"date":"2018-03-12T18:19:50","date_gmt":"2018-03-12T18:19:50","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/one.sightlinemg.com\/airforcetimes\/uncategorized\/2018\/03\/12\/customers-protests-bring-high-capacity-ammo-magazines-back-to-aafes-shelves\/"},"modified":"2026-08-08T02:05:57","modified_gmt":"2026-08-08T02:05:57","slug":"customers-protests-bring-high-capacity-ammo-magazines-back-to-aafes-shelves","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/one.sightlinemg.com\/airforcetimes\/management\/pay-benefits\/mil-money\/2018\/03\/12\/customers-protests-bring-high-capacity-ammo-magazines-back-to-aafes-shelves\/","title":{"rendered":"Customers\u2019 protests bring high-capacity ammo magazines back to AAFES shelves"},"content":{"rendered":"\n

After a vocal response from customers, the Army and Air Force Exchange Service will begin restocking its shelves this week with high-capacity ammunition magazines<\/a> \u2014 reversing a policy to stop selling magazines that hold 11 or more rounds. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Exchange officials reversed their firearm policy<\/a> based on input from customers, according to a statement from AAFES.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cFeedback from active-duty, Guard and Reserve soldiers and airmen highlighted the criticality of high-capacity magazines<\/a> as it relates to readiness and proficiency,\u201d officials stated.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The stores \u2014 including the online store \u2014<\/a> stopped selling high-capacity magazines at the beginning of March. In less than 10 days, AAFES had reversed the decision and began making plans to get the products back on the shelves.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Troops use these magazines, sold separately from firearms, to supplement the magazines they are issued. In addition, Guard and Reserve members said they need the magazines for training while they are not on active duty.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cI\u2019m currently deployed with 30-round PMAGs that I purchased at the PX, why don\u2019t you trust us anymore?\u201d one customer wrote on Facebook.
<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"\"<\/figure>\n\n\n\n

Paul Andersen, a retired Army captain who was a military policeman, on Monday praised AAFES CEO Tom Shull for reversing the policy.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cAAFES customers are active duty members, reservists and retirees. Thankfully he listened to his customers,\u201d Andersen said, noting that the 49th Military Police Alumni Association sent numerous emails to Shull about the issue over the last week.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cIf it were up to me, to give up my gun to save a child\u2019s life, I\u2019d be the first to do it. I would do anything to save a child\u2019s life,\u201d Andersen said.
<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cBut this ill-conceived, knee-jerk reaction to take away all high-capacity magazines doesn\u2019t solve anything. It has no real results. We need to come up with a long-term solution.\u201d
<\/p>\n\n\n\n

After the Feb. 14 shooting at Marjory Stoneman Douglas High School in Parkland, Florida, where a gunman killed 17 people, some commercial retailers have limited the firearms and accessories they sell.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

For example, Dick\u2019s Sporting Goods announced on Feb. 28 it would no longer sell high-capacity magazines or assault-style rifles. The store also said it would no longer sell firearms to anyone under 21.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

AAFES has sold high-capacity magazines primarily \u201cas a result of vendor recommendations to offer the original equipment typically sold with certain firearms.\u201d <\/p>\n\n\n\t