[Wedge]

After a nice range session yesterday (found my new 9mm load, finally dialed in my P22) I was out of .22LR ammo and needed to "refuel".

As I am getting my .22LR ammo I am asked for ID. I'm 28, starting to rock a widow's peak (not too bad yet, though my hairline is WAY higher than it was when I was 18...still of legal age to buy .22LR ammo) and if I pass for under 35, well, I consider it a good day.

Later in the evening I hit up a bar for some Shiner and wings. Carded? Nope.

Guess I don't understand what the point of checking my age. I guess 28 year old engineer types (khakis and a polo shirt were my attire) must be causing a ruckus...

I actually asked the guy if he was serious.

The kicker was that a brick also went up $2.

[quatin]

Store policy. Anything with an age requirement need a DOB to be entered into the system during purchase. Let's not hassle the poor guy who works for a little above minimum wage at a cash register. I don't know why bars let that slide so often. May have something to do with all those undercover operations on 6th where they keep selling booze to minors.

[Dave Dembinski]

I worked at a gas station for about six months and carded everybody who looked under 40 and wanted cigs/booze. Didn't bother hardly anybody, and those it did didn't hang around long enough for them to bother me. Their feelings weren't worth my job.

[Ohio Rifleman]

when I was 18...still of legal age to buy .22LR ammo

Not at a place where I tried to buy .22LR!! :cuss:

When I was 19, I wanted to buy a box of 7.62x39 and a few boxes of 22LR. I was at one of those self-scan things, and I showed my ID to the cashier for the 7.62 ammo, and all was well. But when I scanned the .22 ammo, they wouldn't sell it to me because I was under 21!

Sorry, had to get that off my chest. It's been a while, and I'm still sore about it. Anyway, I've never been "carded" except for that time, and maybe another couple of times I can't remember. I always hear how I look MUCH older than I am.

[CajunBass]

I've never been carded for anything, (mostly because I don't smoke or drink) but I wouldn't get upset if someone asked. The clerks just doing his/her job. Like someone said above, I've worked in a convience store, and I carded most anyone who didn't have a Rip Van Winkle beard. I wasn't going to (1) lose the job (2) possibly go to jail because some kid wanted to buy smokes and beer. I did eventually quit the job because I got tired of checking ID's and selling *&%$#*&* lottery tickets.

[st_albert]

LOL: At my age, if someone cards me I take it as a compliment!

But the sad/funny thing is, at Wal Mart when I buy .22LR they will ask me if it's for a pistol or a rifle. Talk about missing the point! Again, given my age, I just mentally flip a coin for the answer. But my son, before he turned 21, had to always answer "rifle." (For those who are from "elsewhere," in my state 18 yrs is legal for rifle, 21 yrs for pistol. No matter if it's .22lr, .45ACP, 9x19mm, or any caliber you can think of that both rifles and pistols are chambered for. Go figure!)

I'm glad TPTB are looking out for our safety, as always.

Sheeh,
Albert

[Geno]

Next time tell them it's for your machine gun. :neener:

[Wedge]

Funny thing, my hands were practically black from shooting...after washing times 1. Always takes me about 3 times to get them squeaky clean again.

My problem isn't that they are asking, it is the fact that such a policy is in place that requires them to physically take my license. They can't just look at it and see if I am of age (especially since most states have very different licenses for under and over 21). My problem is that there is actually a law on the books differentiating handgun and rifle ammo.

And my problem is that lawmakers/corporations take away the discretion that separates us from machines and replace it with mindless policies and rules and remove any form of freewill. A 10 year old probably can't tell the difference between an 16 year old and a 21 year old or a 20 year old and a 30 year old...but a 50 year old guy behind the counter I am sure can.

[Ohio Rifleman]

Why did you not get the ammo online or get a friend or relative over 21 to buy it for you at the store.

Many online places still require proof of age to order ammo. And, really, at the time, ordering ammo online hadn't occurred to me. Keep in mind, I've only been a serious gun owner/shooter for a couple of years.

I was also alone at the store, and it would have looked fishy if some kid handed you some ammo and money and asked you to buy it for him.

But what really irritates me is that they didn't ask if it was for a handgun or a rifle. I even quoted the law to them, I told them it was for a rifle (true) and still, I couldn't buy it.

However, that is the one and only time I have ever been carded when purchasing ammo. If I was going through a conventional checkout line, I probably wouldn't have been.

[orionengnr]

I am in Texas as well.
I bought ten (yes, ten) bricks of .22 LR at Wal-Mart this past Tuesday afternoon.

Didn't ask me for ID, didn't ask me if it was for a rifle or pistol, didn't ask me for anything...except for $98.80 plus tax. I gave it to him. :)

[Zach S]

LOL: At my age, if someone cards me I take it as a compliment!
I do too, and I turn 26 this month.

The problem is that third shift has taken its toll. Normally when someone guesses my age its somewhere between 32 and 35.

[gezzer]

Not for nothing, I am 55, under 30's look like babies to me. You will show an ID in my shop if I do not know you. Consider it a compliment.:D

For what it's worth the diner I have breakfast at hired a new girl for the summer she looks 14-15 years old after getting to know her in a couple of weeks I find out from her
1. She is married
2. She has 3 children
3. She knows she looks 14-15 but is 24.

She uses it to her advantage to get better tips. She said she make 2-3 times more waitressing when she is pregnant making 1000-1500 more a week.

Getting old bites it!

[welldoya]

I was reading the other day that some state passed a law that everybody gets carded when buying beer, not liquor, just beer. No matter if you look 70, you get carded. The reasoning behind it is it takes the judgment factor out of the picture.
I actually got carded the other day buying something or other. I'm 52 and I forgot what it was.

[obxned]

The only time I get carded it is to see if I am eligible for the senior citizen discount. Come to think of it, that hasn't happened very often the last few years.

[GlowinPontiac]

i actually had a clerk at walmart recently ask me if the 12ga slugs and the 100 pack of winchester target loads were for a pistol!

when i told her it was for a shotgun she told me the local gangs have been using "semi auto shotgun pistols" recently because they can fit in your pocket!!!

i just told her i did not own such a thing and purchased my ammo.

funny thing is she was so concerned with these supposed pistols that she forgot to card me! (i am of legal age for any type of ammo)

[CNYCacher]

Walmarts in NYS are more fun. They actually ask you what you are going to be shooting the ammo from and if you say pistol, they want to see your NYS pistol license.

- "Winchester White Box 9MM please, the 100-rounder."
* "Is this for a pistol or a rifle?"
- "Pistol."
* "I am going to need to see your pistol license then."
- "Ummm, I didn't bring it." (Not true, I had it and was carrying)
* "Well, I can't sell the ammo to you then."
- "Oh. . . Well, can I buy it without my pistol license and shoot it from my 9mm rifle then?"
* :confused: "Well . . . if you are going to be shooting it from a rifle then ok . . . I guess . . . "
- "OK, I will only shoot THIS box from my rifle, and next time I want to buy some 9mm for my pistol, I will be sure to bring my pistol license."
* "Sounds good" (starts to ring up the sale)
- "Could you write 'RIFLE ONLY' on the box for me so I don't forget?"

Guess what? HE DID!

[Stevie-Ray]

I'm carded quite a bit. I'm told they have to card if person looks under 35. I'm 51.:neener:

[DillHarris]

I was at Wal-Mart buying WD40 and deodorant. They carded me and I'm a thin-haired 33. Of course I had to ask the cashier why I had to be eighteen to buy deodorant. She didn't get it. At the same store, I don't think I've ever been carded for ammo. Crazy.

[GeezerwithGuns]

After reading threads like this, I feel sooooo much safer knowing that the bureaucrats are protecting us. Don't y'all? :banghead:

[Blackbeard]

Why do they ask if it's for a rifle or handgun?

[Alphazulu6]

If I dont get carded for ammo/beer I start to feel kind of old... So card away please!

[tmajors]

I was at Walmart buying WD40 and deodorant.

I've been carded at Walmart for nail polish remover (for my wife), lawn fertilizer, acetone, spray paint, and a few other things like that. I have never been carded at Walmart for smokes or alcohol. Been carded for .22LR but not .45 when I bought that separately.

Why do they ask if it's for a rifle or handgun?

Because handgun is 21 and older, but rifle/shotgun is 18 and over. .22LR can be used for both so basically if you're shooting it out of a handgun you have to be 21 and if you're shooting it out of a rifle you only have to be 18. I usually say "carbine" and it confuses the register monkey.

[Blackbeard]

Why do they ask if it's for a rifle or handgun?

Because handgun is 21 and older, but rifle/shotgun is 18 and over. .22LR can be used for both so basically if you're shooting it out of a handgun you have to be 21 and if you're shooting it out of a rifle you only have to be 18. I usually say "carbine" and it confuses the register monkey.

I bought two boxes of 9mm at Wal-Mart last week. They did check my FOID, which has my DOB on it, indicating I'm 38. Still they asked if it was for a handgun.

[Shield529]

"Next time tell them it's for your machine gun".

NO!!!!! I did that at Wal-Mart trying to be funny. The guy refused to sell to me saying machine guns are illegal. I had to wait for him to call a MGR and convince him I was kidding.

[The Deer Hunter]

I got carded once trying to buy a lighter. Apparently in MA you gotta be 18 to buy a lighter for some reason.

But you can take a free pack of matches though.

[aka108]

Times have changed. When I was 11 or 12 I could buy 22 ammo anywhere if I had 52 cents for a box or 4.89 for a brick (which I seldom had). Being asked if the 22 is for a rifle or handgun defies logic.

[The Deer Hunter]

Being asked if the 22 is for a rifle or handgun defies logic.

Man, people want to ban guns because they are scary lookin, nothing defies logic anymore.

[IA_farmboy]

I was at Gander Mountain looking around the ammo shelves and noticed there wasn't any .22LR ammo in sight. I asked if they were out of stock. The gentleman informed me that any ammunition that will fit into a handgun must be placed behind the counter. He didn't say I'd have to show proof of age to buy any. Not having a rifle yet I didn't intend on buying any that day.

I also remember when in college that a friend was ranting that he couldn't get any ammunition for his rifle. Being under 18 no one would sell him any ammunition for his rifle since it could also be used in a handgun. While I don't agree with the policy of 21+ to buy handgun ammo I at least see that they were acting logically. Asking about the use of the purchase is relying on the purchaser being truthful.

The policy of asking whether a type of ammunition will be used in a handgun or rifle is absurd. I can imagine this taken to a higher level of absurdity...
"Sir, will you be using this ammunition in the commission of a felony?"
"Yes, I plan on killing a family of four next week."
"I'm sorry, sir, it is against company policy to sell ammunition to potential felons."
"Oh, in that case can you direct me to cutlery?"
"Of course. Take the escalator to the second floor and turn left."
"Thank you."

:banghead:

[Blackbeard]

I went back to Wal-Mart to test this again today.

Clerk: Is it for a handgun?
Me: Yeah.
Clerk hits a key on the register.
Me: Is that something you have to enter?
Clerk: It asks us.

So, apparently their inventory control system is programmed to ask, and they probably collect the data down in Bentonville.

[M1 Shooter]

Thank you all for reminding me why I don't buy ammo at Wal-Mart.
I did once, and they did ask me for ID(I was probably 25 or 26 at the time), and they asked if it was for a rifle or a pistol when I bought some .22LR ammo. I remember being taken aback by this, since nobody had ever asked for my ID or asked me what it was for when I bought ammo before. I answered "None of your business, why does it matter, I'm over 21!" Then they said they couldn't sell it to me if I didn't give them an answer, so I said, "Well, if you must know, the ammo is called .22 LONG RIFLE!!!!, does that answer your question?" The clerk shut up and sold it to me. That was the first and last time I ever bought ammo there. Now I only buy ammo from a select few gun shops, or from online vendors. I have to provide ID to the online vendors, but I only have to send them a copy once, and then I can order all the ammo I want from them. The gunshops and the online vendors have never once asked me if it was for a rifle or a pistol, I don't know why Wal-Mart does, especially when the purchaser is over 21 and it doesn't matter anyway.

[envonge]

M1 Shooter, you can shoot .22LR in some handguns aswell so that wouldn't answer the question for me.

I don't see the big deal. They are only doing their jobs.

[TimboKhan]

I hear all these stories about wal-mart asking where the .22 goes, and yet I have never been asked that question. Not that I want them too, but I just find it odd that apparently our two walmarts just don't care. Of course, maybe thats because I don't like poor service and so everytime I go to check out I stare at the clerks like I am one step away from snapping their necks, but still...

Here is my walmart story. I went to buy groceries the other night, and the clerk in my line was super slow. Right before I got there, this little Thai chicky took over, which made me happy because she has worked there a long time and is pretty fast. Plus, she is also cute. Anyway, right when I got up there, doofus came back from peeing, and she was going to turn it back over to him. I bluntly said "Hey, can you stay long enough to ring me out? This guy is way to slow.". Doofus got a little upset and walked away, at which point the cute Thai girl told me that everyone in the store calls him "Turtle". Then we shared a giggle and I left.

The moral of the story is that I am a little bit of an a-hole with slow clerks and there is a cute Thai girl that works at my walmart named Brenda.

[Wedge]

My issue was NOT with wal-mart. It is with being asked ID.

A similar thread: http://www.thehighroad.org/showthread.php?t=289128

When someone asks you for ID, they are basically saying I have the power to halt this sale. What happens when you show your ID for your ammo and the guy says, "Gee mister, I don't know, something about this is ID is fishy. I can't sell you any ammo". Bam. Now you can't get ammo.

[entropy]

For the nth time, yes the registers at Wally World are programmed to ask if the ammo is for a rifle or pistol if it is of certain calibers. (Ironically,.45-70 isn't one of them, yet pistols are made in that caliber. :p ) The (using Blackbeard's very 'high road' term) "register monkey" must then acertain that the buyer is over 18 if rifle, 21 if pistol ammo.

I really get sick of all the Wal-Mart bashing on here, it's supposed to be The High Road.


Next time tell them it's for your machine gun.

I do that- but then, I work there. ;)

[Wedge]

Not wal-mart bashing. Never said it was wal-mart.

ID bashing.

[Sniper4Life]

I am glad to live where I do, I am not 18 yet, and I can buy all the ammo I want, any kind, and any time (provided the store is open). Small town, maybe 130 people tops, everybody knows everybody, only the outsiders get carded ;)

[pdowg881]

What if your shooting a carbine or lever gun or any of the various rifles that shoot handgun ammo? Wouldn't that just defeat the purpose of the question?
And do gunstores ask the same qustion? Because if I get my ccp which I'm planning to, does that mean even though I have a ccp, I'm only 19 so I can't buy ammunition for it?

[The Lone Haranguer]

I look obviously over 21. ;) When buying ammo at Wal-Marts here I never get carded. I can see the age requirement and rifle/handgun displays come up on the register, but they just push some buttons to skip right over that. But when buying alcohol they insist on and swipe my driver's license (only for the DOB). :confused::D

[Spinner]

Guys, get upset all you like, but it seems to me pretty clear that if you go to many of the Walmart stores to buy ammo that could be chambered in either a pistol or a rifle you will be asked which firearm the ammunition is intended for. That's the deal .... you buy from Walmart, they will ask you. You may think its an inane question, and it may well be, but the store clerk is required to ask .... its a part of their job. If you really don't like being asked, then don't shop at Walmart. Whining about it online isn't going to change the situation.

As an important aside, I'm not overly impressed by some of the less than high road comments, in particular, use of the term "register monkey" and "Thai chicky". Would you use these terms to the respective people's faces? I really don't think it fosters accepatance of all people when you describe a "register monkey" as a "cute Thai chicky" and it really isn't very respectful of people who are just doing their jobs or women in general.

Spinner

[Average Joe]

The last time I bought .22 ammo, the young girl behind the counter asked me if I was 21 ( I am 55) I told her " No " she looked up at me , and we both had a good laugh.....Lighten up folks, its only a queston...

[SaMx]

the reason walmart does it is because they assume the person at the register is too dumb to figure out if you are over 21 or 18. It's illegal to sell pistol ammo to anyone under 21, and illegal to sell any ammo to anyone under 18. Wallmart is just afraid that some dumb "register monkey" will break that law and they will get in trouble.

[IA_farmboy]

What I don't get is that they ask if the ammunition is for a rifle or handgun but given the fact that the ammunition can fit in a handgun and a rifle then the ammunition is both rifle and pistol ammunition. I thought the rules were that handgun ammunition was not to be sold to someone under 21. If so they are essentially asking the purchaser to promise that they won't put the ammunition into a handgun.

Once that ammunition leaves the doors of the store there is nothing, except their word, from keeping them from loading that ammunition into a handgun. I think that any store that uses the word of the purchaser on where that ammunition will end up should be charged with selling handgun ammunition to a minor. That store just broke the law.

I'm going to come up with a few possible responses should I get asked the question, "Will this ammunition be used in a rifle or handgun?"

"Both." That should blow their mind since I doubt that is one of the options on their register screen.

"It's for my howitzer."

"Yes."

"What's the difference? They both go 'bang' don't they."

"I was thinking of throwing them in the campfire and watch them cook off, so neither."

"I'm not sure. I'm buying it for my brother that just got out of prison, hold on and I'll get him on my cell phone.

The best one is probably something like, "None of your business."

[MrTwigg]

...Semi-auto shotgun pistol...
http://serbu.com/top/super_shorty_870.jpg

I want one ! :D

Sorry, couldn't resist. :neener:


I know, I know, its really a pump... :p

[FieroCDSP]

Why do they ask if it's for a rifle or handgun?

On any pistol ammo besides 22LR, they are supposed to assume it's being used in a pistol, and not sell to under 21. 22LR is supposed to be the only exception, but I'm not sure that ruling has carbines in mind, as the older carbines were either SMG (Thompson) or a smaller rifle caliber (M1Carbine.)
With the advent of 9mm and 40cal carbines, It would be a valid question to ask on those calibers also. I think it's a dumb rule, but 22 is used to hunt, and 18 is legal rifle age everywhere. You can't tell a legal hunter he can't get the ammo. :banghead:

Anyway, have fun mesing with the counter-jockeys. I like the box-writing story. just try to be nice. They need to make a living too.

[gezzer]

Because if I get my ccp which I'm planning to, does that mean even though I have a ccp, I'm only 19 so I can't buy ammunition for it?

Right you cannot buy ammo from an FFL for a handgun. Federal law superceds state and local.

[pdowg881]

So basiaclly if your buying handgun ammo to put through a longun they are relying on your word that none of it finds it's way to a pistol? Isn't than an unenforcable law?

[Feanaro]

You are starting to catch on, pdowg. Firearm laws aren't passed because they make sense.

[pdowg881]

So theoretically could I just say the .357 is for my levergun and it would be sold to me? Or can I not buy any pistol/rifle ammo regardless if I am shooting through a rifle?

[evan price]

The last time I was at the rifle side of my range the RO yells out, "Who's been shooting pistol on my rifle range?"
Nobody raised their hand.
"C'mon, now, who has been shooting nine-mill in the rifle bays?"
I raised my hand.
"No pistols in the rifle bays," he shouted, pointing at me, "Or next time it's YOUR **S out the door!"
I didn't say antything, but held up my Kel-Tec Sub-Rifle 2000. In 9mm.
The RO did a double take, came over, and said "Wow, that's pretty neat."
I let him blast off a half a mag and that ended the 9-mm in the rifle bays issue.

Last time Wal*mart asked me was Friday. I said, "Both." The clerk looked at me, typed in whatever, and the sale went on.

[General Geoff]

my response to that question is always, "Machine gun."

[pdowg881]

Yea but in my case im 19. So does the fact that I tell thim it's for a rilfe irrelevant and I't won't be sold to me?

[General Geoff]

No, they should sell it to you if you respond with anything other than "pistol."

[pdowg881]

So I'm guessing the genuises who came up with the law didn't know much about guns?

[FieroCDSP]

So I'm guessing the genuises who came up with the law didn't know much about guns?

You will quickly find that 99% of retail workers (not talking guns/sporting only stores) know absolutely bo-diddly about firearms. Hence the games folks like to play with them.