However, I don't think I am naive in saying that most of America has a low tolerance for stupidity and it won't take long for good people to organize and bring order. Unless you happen to live somewhere with a profile similar to New Orleans, which requires an outside influence to stabilize. And this is assuming that outside help is even available. If not, those people are fucked.
Back to the ammo question... you better have what you need.
I would like to agree with you regarding most of America having a low tolerance, however all you hear these days is to be tolerant. Once a situation (Heaven Forbid) occurs of a large scale nature again,the average American will be and sadly is clueless. I say this because for what ever reason the average American likes to do the ostrich effect. If it's not effecting me ok no big deal. Then when it happens everyone is to blame but the individual.
Gone will be the initial concept of debate as the victim will be dealt with rapidly and violently, and those who looked up to the man they deemed sensible and a leader will in turn be to stunned to respond accordingly and will in turn become victims themselves. Look at what took place in LA during the Rodney King riots, or Florida after the Hurricane hit, and recently New Orleans. When everyone ran to the gun stores like what happened in LA, they panic because they had to wait days because that was the law. The Korean vendors, took to the roofs and held down the fort, as many were veterans of the ROK Army, or Marines. They were able to hold out quite some time, and many columns still exist on the net .
Bottom line, if your running to the store to stock up and wait it out your already doing it wrong. Be it ammo, food, water. No I'm not a prepper, but I do have an obligation to provide and protect.
Food, and water will be the prime commodity, and people who once acted civilized will revert to the primal instincts to survive. You can bet your bottom dollar the gangs in the city will be a main force of extortion and hoarding should they get control of a food distribution point.
Once the shooting stops, you will have people coming to pick the bodies. Some will be armed others will have edged weapons, a few will be empty and look to pick up a rifle, handgun, shotgun, food, water, clothes, etc. I've witnessed it for two years, and if you think it won't happen during a dog eat dog situation your kidding yourself.
And like the previous post said. I'm in total agreement, you better have what you need it because when it's going down you won't be able to get it. If you want a better example picture yourself on a long trip taking the back roads to avoid traffic and you run out of gas because you didn't fill the tank. You have no homes, or stores in the area for a good 20 miles and you haven't seen a car pass you since you started your back road trip. You have no gas can, and it's starting to rain. To late to say I should have have or could have. Just my thoughts.