Cabelas Asks For Social Security #...

I always left it blank, never had a problem. Bought many guns new from FFL's. They still stole my id. These crooks steal databases, they may be a dept. store, or a bank, and it has all your stuff there.Your drivers license social, etc, I recentlly was asked if I was in Germany buying musical instruments for $6000.00, I said I didn't remember, unless I was sleep flying. I signed a piece of paper and that was it. They don't care, it's a write off. When I asked why would a 63 yr old man who never used the card end up in europe buying a tuba, no interest, on her part, suggested I call the music store if I wanted more info, to which I said if you don't care why should I. Just keep getting robbed.I cancelled the card immediatlly even though they still sent out new ones after I cancelled. No one knows what the heck they are doing anymore.

That would make me angry too. I would not buy from them unless it was an extremely good deal.

That would make me angry too. I would not buy from them unless it was an extremely good deal.

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So you're prinicpled, but with a price? Reminds me of the ancient joke:

Man: Would you sleep with me for a billion dollars?
Lady: Yes, I suppose so.
Man: Would you sleep with me for ten dollars?
Lady: Of course not! What kind of woman do you think I am?
Man: We've already established what kind of woman you are, now we're just negotiating a price.

Dave

To me the ssn is not a big deal and i always put it on the 4473.

i spent a career in the US Army with access to nuclear weapons. Still have a top secret security clearance and an explosive users license. i'm a certified blaster in several states. The feds know who i am.

Mr.Blue said:

...when filling out gun paperwork. I had to compete the paperwork on one of their computer stations. Usually when filling out paperwork I leave my SS# blank, as it is optional. Due to this being a computer program, I needed to put my SS# in to move forward.

I am pretty pissed that they do this. Had I not been dead tired and wanted to get my rifle and go home, I would have caused a stink.

I wonder if this practice is legal. Opinions?

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I bought two rifles and one handgun from Cabela's in the last 8 months alone. On every single one, I was told I could include my SSN on the background check paperwork (as "it could help eliminate any sort of confusion in records" due to a common name, I guess). But they also told me - every time - that I wasn't required to put my SSN, and to just leave it off if I wasn't comfortable with it.

I always use my SSN because I do not have a unique name and dont want the headache of possibly getting mixed up with like named criminals out there.

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I have a very unique name but STILL always list my SSN. As others have said, I do not consider it a big deal, and anything to make the process move along smoother is a good thing.

The last several guns I've bought there have been C&R eligible. They have my license on file. Very convenient, especially as one of them was a handgun and I live in a different state!

(Now if you want to know what really annoys me about Cabela's...it's trying to dodge the credit card salesmen at the front door. I want your guns, not your @#$! credit card.)

I just come prepared with a DNA sample and I am out the door in under five minutes.

I don't fear the Govt knowing who I am. It's the thieves getting my SS# and stealing my identity that I fear. As a precaution I don't give it out unless it is necessary.

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I've had my ID stolen twice (remember when the VA lost a bunch of SSNs a few years back? Yeah, I was in both of those batches) and it was a PITA, but not life-changing. As long as you have a good bank and keep track of your finances, you should be ok. Frequent credit history checks (at least once a year!) are also a good idea regardless of concern over ID theft.

I just come prepared with a DNA sample and I am out the door in under five minutes.

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Blood, skin, hair, or .... Ah, nevermind. I really don't want to know.

No use being paranoid about your SSN. If you live long enough to get Medicare your SSN becomes your Medicare #. After that, every healthcare worker you encounter for the rest of your life will ask for The Card. And guess what's on that card in large print for everyone to see.

They still stole my id. These crooks steal databases, they may be a dept. store, or a bank, and it has all your stuff there.Your drivers license social, etc,

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or just steal your mail as was done to me many years ago.....

I would doubt that Cabela's would have their own program. I'm not an FFL, but from what I've seen on the ATF website, they are very picky about the 4473's. I would suspect it's the ATF's e-4473 program that requires ALL fields to be completed.

I accidentally left mine off the paperwork once, and had to wait several more days. I live in Oregon, so I don't know if that's a state thing or what. In addition, this happened not long after 9/11.

The ATF doesn't require it, but that doesnt mean that the dealer can't require it.

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An FFL has no right or grounds to require your SSN. Period.

An FFL has no right or grounds to require your SSN. Period.

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Nothing says they can't ask you for it on your 4473, though. And it will speed things along in some cases.

Nothing says they can't ask you for it on your 4473, though.

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They, being the FFL, aren't asking for it on the 4473 as an option. The Federal Government is. Big difference. The 4473 is a government document.

Eeeerrrrr... That's a government document that you have to fill out at your FFL, otherwise, you ain't gettin' no guns there!

Who keeps that 4473? Your FFL, not the gubment. The gubment can come along and request that 4473, but the FFL is the one who has access to it.

But hey, do and think what you want.

Twiki357 said:

I would doubt that Cabela's would have their own program. I'm not an FFL, but from what I've seen on the ATF website, they are very picky about the 4473's. I would suspect it's the ATF's e-4473 program that requires ALL fields to be completed.

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That's just it. Neither Cabela's NOR the feds require a SSN on the 4473. Like I said, I bought three guns in the last few months; my SSN wasn't required for any of them, and I was out of the store in less than an hour with a new firearm in my hands every time.

Hmmmmmmm seems to me that little # that was supposed to be for tax purposes and never as ID # has come a long way.

FWIW I'm going to Cabela's at the end of the month and plan to buy a gun so we'll see.

Somewhere there is a video clip of then Vice-president Harry Truman promising the American people that the SS# would NEVER be used for personal idintification.

I am a little confused. Does the federal government REQUIRE Cabellas to ask you for your SS number?

If not, is there any law against submiting false information to a mail order company?

How would Cabellas know if you did submit a phoney nimber anyway UNLESS the government checks it against your name and DOB?

Neither Cabela's NOR the feds require a SSN on the 4473. Like I said, I bought three guns in the last few months; my SSN wasn't required for any of them, and I was out of the store in less than an hour with a new firearm in my hands every time.

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Did you use the e-4473 or fill out the paper form?

jimmyraythomason said:

SSN is optional to purchase a firearm from a dealer but manditory if you're buying a hunting or fishing license from that same dealer.

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are you sure? not in Kansas. And btw as a programmer who has to deal with ssns, legally I can't require you to provide SSN (as I don't write programs for govt but for a corporation). And if cabela's program requires the field to be populated before you leave that screen, I'll bet you even money that 000-00-0000 or 999-99-9999 will satisfy their edit