.22LR Purchase

[Dokkalfar]

Some backstory: I purchased a Savage 64 several months ago at Academy, and was allowed to buy 2 500ct bricks of .22LR with it because I purchased the rifle at the same time. Talking to the manager, he said if I came back I would not be allowed to buy more ammunition unless I was 21 or purchased another rifle concurrently. So he suggested the Wal-Mart right across the street if I wanted more .22LR. I was told it was store policy that this was usable as handgun ammunition, therefore they set a '21' age limit.

Since then, I've stopped by that Wal-Mart, as well as Dick's, and Oshman's or Sports Authority, and all have sold me .22LR as I am over 18 (but under 21). Unfortunately, these guys dont have the Federal 500 brick i usually buy, so I usually have to settle for the 333 count for a similar price, or buy it in the 50ct boxes, which adds up rather more expensive.

I stopped by Academy earlier today to pick up a gun case, and stopped by the guy at the gun counter and asked if they had rescinded this policy since I last was in the store. This time the guy (different one than months ago) said it was not store policy but Federal law that .22LR is handgun ammunition, and every place that has sold it to me was breaking the law (basically everywhere but Academy's). I was in a hurry and didn't feel like arguing with him, plus I am not 100% sure on the law regarding this. Despite the specific name of the round, Long RIFLE.

The only ATF regs applicable that I could find (kindof) define a handgun/ammunition:
Handgun. (a) Any firearm which has a short stock and is designed to
be held and fired by the use of a single hand; and
(b) Any combination of parts from which a firearm described in
paragraph (a) can be assembled.
Ammunition. Ammunition or cartridge cases, primers, bullets, or
propellent powder designed for use in any firearm other than an antique
firearm.

therefore, considering a pistol/revolver could be adapted to fire any regular rifle cartridge, shouldn't all ammunition be considered handgun? and same thing with rifles, so shouldnt all ammunition be considered for rifles? However, I didnt see anything that specifically enumerates .22LR.

so, is .22LR Federally considered handgun ammunition, requiring any purchasers to be 21? I know Texas doesn't specify it as such, but Fed I can't really find anything either.

 

[moccasin]

I had this same problem 30 years ago, what part of .22 long RIFLE don't they get? As I understand it you should be asked whether it is being used in a rifle or pistol, if you answer pistol you must be 21- if you answer rifle you must be at least 18. I am not aware of any federal list of handgun or rifle ammunition. I suspect this is just store/company policy.

 

[bill in IN]

Interesting- they can violate what they consider the law when selling a rifle but not later?

 

[General Geoff]

They are not violating any law by not selling to you; they are a private business and may deny any sale to any individual for any reason.


As for the whole .22lr being for a pistol or for a rifle.. whenever they ask me, I just say it's for a machine gun.

 

[Albatross]

It isn't federal law, the clerk is just a twit who is talking out of his butt. Some stores (Wal-Mart for instance) will ask you what you intend to fire it out of and won't sell it to you if you say pistol, but no problem if you say rifle.

There is definitely no federal law stopping people who are 18 or older from buying ammunition for a rifle.

If you are having trouble with local suppliers, just order it online in bulk and you'll save a bundle.

 

[CleverNickname]

There is no law that says "cartridge X is handgun ammo, cartridge Y is rifle ammo", etc. What the law does say is that an FFL must have not have reason to believe that if they sell ammo to someone under 21 that the ammo will be used in a handgun. The prohibition is only on FFLs so the easiest way is just to give a >21 year old friend some money and have him buy what you want for you.

 

[mgkdrgn]

Oddly enough, I just had the "initial inspection visit" from the BATF agent for my FFL, and this very issue came up.

IF you are 21, you can't purchase handgun ammo. 22lr CAN be used in a handgun. So can 45 Colt, 357 Magnum, 38 Special, etc, etc.

Those rounds can also be used in a rifle.

"How to resolve this dilema" I asked the BATF agent ...

"Ask them what they are buying it for." was his reply.

Sometimes the simple answer -is- the answer.

Next time they refuse you, show a manager your money ... and tell them where you are going to go spend.


IF Dicks, WalMart, Sears, Joes Guns won't sell you 22lr if you are under 21 if you tell them you are buying it for a rifle, that is =their= policy (ie, cover my ass 'cause I'm too cheap to hire clerks with a brain), NOT federal law.

 

[MTO]

The point-of-sale system at the WalMarts around here (Northern Virginia) prompt the clerk to ask the customer whether the cartridges are for a handgun and then to verify whether the customer is 18 or 21.

 

[Lurp]

I worked at Academy for a while and sold .22lr ammunition to plenty of people over 18, but under 21. Those two people you talked to have no idea what they're talking about.

 

[flrfh213]

when i last bought .22lr at wally world they asked Me pistol or rifle and i am well past the 21 mark so i don't feel it is an age thing as much as store register asking for use.

 

[Dokkalfar]

IF Dicks, WalMart, Sears, Joes Guns won't sell you 22lr if you are under 21 if you tell them you are buying it for a rifle, that is =their= policy (ie, cover my ass 'cause I'm too cheap to hire clerks with a brain), NOT federal law.

Actually those are all the ones I don't have a problem at Academy's is the only one. Though I havent tried another Academy yet. not sure where the next closest one is.

But I wonder what they'd do if i just toted my rifle into the store with me? would that be considered acceptable, similar to buying a .22 there?

Though if I get some time off I might go back and discuss this with the manager, see what he has to say about it. On this past visit I noticed some signs that they had moved a few (obviously rifle, .243 and a couple others) rounds behind the counter, but I dont know if they added the 21 age limit to those as well.

But I will definitely let ya'll know what the manager/store partner has to say about this.

 

[kanook]

22lr long rifle NOT 22hg hand gun

 

[woof]

I would start off by saying you want ammo for a Savage 64 .22 rifle. By the way look for Federal Champion 510 in 50 rd boxes at walmart. Its only a little more money and shoots better than bulk in all my .22s

 

[TehK1w1]

I ran into that same problem trying to buy 22lr at a walmart a couple years ago before I was 21. The manager told me that the computer said it was handgun ammo and denied me the sale. I went to the Academy across the street and bought some there instead.