ST. PAUL — Some Minnesota police departments are struggling to find the ammunition they use for training — as some citizens have snapped up the supply amid talks of a crackdown on guns.

South St. Paul Police Chief Bill Messerich said that .223-caliber ammunition has become a hot item. The ammunition is used in rifles like the AR-15s, which have been selling quickly. And it’s used by police for practice shooting.

Messerich said when his department tried to buy practice rounds late last year, vendors were out.

Not every department is seeing a shortage. Police in St. Paul, Oakdale and Eagan all said their supplies are in good shape.

Some agencies started noticing shortages years ago and have planned accordingly by ordering months in advance.