Why do some ammo dealers ask for...

Local Wal-Mart asks to see ID, I think it is store/company policy.

If they hold a Federal Firearms License they are prohibited from selling ammunition intended to be used in a handgun to persons <21 years of age and ammunition intended to be used in a rifle to persons <18 years of age.

If they are a dealer in ammo only, and do not have an FFL (because they are not required to), then they are only prohibited from selling ammunition suitable for use in a handgun only to persons <18 years of age.

These are Federal law prohibitions and states may enact laws more restrictive than Federal.

The dealers that are asking for a copy of your license are doing so to prove their compliance to the age restrictions to the ATF or because their state laws require them to. Not required by Federal law to do so, but some will as a CYA policy.

Ive never ordered ammo online because of that.
would they still honor the order if all info except the name/birthday was blacked out?
after all we live in the age of identity theft.

Whacked said:

Ive never ordered ammo online because of that.
would they still honor the order if all info except the name/birthday was blacked out?
after all we live in the age of identity theft.

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Not all online ammo dealers require you to provide a copy of your ID. Many simply require a mouse click verification that you say you are >18 or >21 as applicable.

I am a tad past 21. The local ChinaMart in town ask me for my ID every time. Store policy.
Lets just say I was around when TV had two channels in the Dallas-Ft. Worth area and was black and white. Elvis had no hits. I still have to show ID.

I am a tad past 21. The local ChinaMart in town ask me for my ID every time. Store policy.

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That's odd Sarge, I may not be quiet as old as you, I vaguely remember Eisenhower being president, but our local ChinaMart has never asked to see my ID. I haven't been asked to produce an ID in a face to face purchase since they got rid of the silly record keeping requirement for ammo purchases. You must have a young handsome face.

Never had to show ID here in "ChinaMart".
The only thing I get asked for when buying ammo is, " Handgun or rifle?"

I never did buy ammo online, I never could find a really good deal and since I been reloading for a somewhere around a year, I find no need to. But as others have stated, It is depending on their state laws.

I'm 40 w/ a decent amount of grey hair and it's 50/50 as to whether the clerk in Wal-mart asks for my ID and/or whether I'd be using the ammunition for a handgun or rifle (I assume it's a little like carding people for booze, i.e. better safe than sorry). Apparently you can't buy 22LR ammunition if you tell the guy that it's for a handgun and you're under 21. Recently I did ask the guy if I could be 18 and buy .357 Magnum ammunition for my lever-gun... he looked at me like I was an idiot... of course this is the same guy that initially informed me that I needed to have the gun I was buying ammo for with me... which I did (CC of course), that caused an awkward moment until I realized that he was trying to be humorous and truly had no idea that any law abiding citizen could or would be carrying in Wal-mart.

A few years back I was in a Big 5 Sporting Goods store to buy a couple boxes of 12 gauge dove loads. They wanted to see my I.D. and put my name, address, and signature in a book with the amount and kind of ammo I was buying. I asked why. I was told "store policy". I said no thanks and walked out, never to return. I was in my late 50's at the time.

Wal-Mart policy

is to ask the customer if it is handgun ammo; of course that is to fulfill the law requirement. Of course, I am 69 so there is no worry about me being under age.

I only remember the Carter administration, but my local Chinamart has never asked to see my ID when purchasing ammo. Nor have they ever what the ammo was for.

AIM surplus wanted a copy of my DL, but cheaper than dirt didn't....

Ordering through mail or internet? Almost certainly for age verification. There is no way to know this without seeing you. For buying ammo face to face, they may still want to verify your age, but all that takes is a glance at your DOB; they should not write down or record anything.

The asking for ID to verify age is really overkill by some sellers. I can kind of understand it for online sales. The only time I bought ammo online, I had the option of e-mailing a scan of my DL or they would ship it "Adult signature required." Yup, adult sig.. it was sitting in my driveway when I got home. But Wallyworld and (Believe it or not) J&G Sales (In store) always ask for ID. Just as a qualifier, I just turned 70.

My local Wal Mart, depending on the ammo being bought, only asks if its for a rifle or a pistol. I think its a question that pops up on the register when they scan it.

You can make some of 'em scrunch up their face if you answer simply "both".


Nick

Nikdfish said:

You can make some of 'em scrunch up their face if you answer simply "both".


Nick

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Or tell them its for a machine gun, they can't find a machine gun key and don't know what to do!

willymc said:

A few years back I was in a Big 5 Sporting Goods store to buy a couple boxes of 12 gauge dove loads. They wanted to see my I.D. and put my name, address, and signature in a book with the amount and kind of ammo I was buying. I asked why. I was told "store policy". I said no thanks and walked out, never to return. I was in my late 50's at the time.

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Depending on how many years ago was "a few" wasn't that something every seller had to do?

I seem to remember buying ammo at a little country store back in the early 80's just after I turned 18 and the clerk had to drag out some sort of book and record my info. Did GCA '68 mandate this and then it was overturned by one of the reforms in the mid-80's (McClure-Volkmer)? Seems like I remember all sellers having to record ammo sales--am I misremembering?

EDIT: I answered my own question through Wikipedia. The FOPA (McClure-Volkmer act of 1986) did (among other things) "removal of the requirement for record keeping on sales of non-armor-piercing ammunition"

Josh45 said:

Never had to show ID here in "ChinaMart".
The only thing I get asked for when buying ammo is, " Handgun or rifle?"

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My standard reply to that:

"Doesnt matter, I am over 21"

I have ordered from Cheaper Than Dirt and they request UPS to get an adult signature. I asked UPS about it and they just drop the package off if you aren't home.

The only store retailer that has asked for ID is Walmart. I just chuckle and so do they.

Only places that I get asked for ID are Walmart and gander mountain

And neither of them will sell me pistol ammunition because I dont have a permit -.-

Apparently they don't realize pistol caliber carbines exist

The Sarge said:

I am a tad past 21. The local ChinaMart in town ask me for my ID every time. Store policy.
Lets just say I was around when TV had two channels in the Dallas-Ft. Worth area and was black and white. Elvis had no hits. I still have to show ID.

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And the Von Erich's ran the town!

Walmart asks because they have a 3 boxes of handgun ammo /person /day rule.

Always tell them it's for a rifle.

~Abstract~ said:

Walmart asks because they have a 3 boxes of handgun ammo /person /day rule.

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Urban myth. Some individual stores instituted that policy during the ammo "shortage". Wal Mart Corporation never did. They ask because their register requires an input as to the age of the purchaser depending on the intended use of the ammo.

~Abstract~ said:

Always tell them it's for a rifle.

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If the WalMart store has an FFL because they also sell firearms, and if the purchaser is under 21, and if the ammo is intended for use in a handgun, and if the purchaser lies and says it is for a rifle, a Federal felony is committed by the purchaser.