Do other "young" people have this happen too?

[JohnBT]

"why can't I be treated equally? I am an ADULT,"

It happens. But you need to stop whining about it.

Wait until you are 50 or 60 and then think about this thread. You will be amazed at how young the typical 18-year-old looks. A lot of them appear to be too young to drive.

 

[Cryogaijin]

I'm 34 and I still get that BS from a couple of the shops here in town. I am 10x more likely to patronize the two that don't (ammo can and Gunrunners) than the two that do (Great Northern Guns and Wild West Guns) Hell the employees of Gunrunners know me on sight. (And a huge% of their other customers.)

There is definately a cliquishness in the community, Old vs young, Mil vs civvie, bolt vs auto, revolver vs auto. . . And both sides of any of those are just as susceptible to misinformation as the others.

There are a lot of "religious wars" out there that lend themselves to some ignorance as well: Self defense caliber wars are one of 'em: Between 9mm, .40S&W, and .45acp you are best off using the one you are most comfortable shooting and have the most practice with. Seriously, comfort and practice trump any and all other concerns in that particular argument. Yet you'll see all sorts of different people arguing until they are blue in the face about it.

*shrug*

 

[The Bushmaster]

Get use to it. I'm 68 and get the same kind of reaction quite often. Mostly from the "know-it-alls" of the world...I'll admit...I'm still learning...

 

[HOWARD J]

By the time my youngest was 12 he was quite proficient with a 44 mag.
I always laughed when we went to the gun range & some guy would say " you better take that gun away from that kid before someone gets hurt"
It would take about 5 minutes & everyone in the range would be down getting instructions ( from the kid) on how to handle a 44mag.

 

[ZCORR Jay]

It sucks but its life. Im 28 now and don't look a day over 21 so I still have to deal with elders doubt once in a while. You have to admit though that our generations aren't really painting a great picture with how lazy, ignorant, and dependent more and more kids and young adults are becoming.

Young adults with a good head on their shoulder are becoming a rare breed... especially ones with extensive knowledge of their hobbies and interests.


For the time being your going to have to deal with it but enjoy the opportunity to politely prove them wrong

 

[Aren't we all]

I am happy to say I have never been profiled because of my age, and i started collecting at 14, that being said I am 6' 3" and 190 lbs. I look a lot bigger than I am.
I find that establishing a personal rapport based on a mutal love of weaponry is the best strategy. If that fails blow 'em out of the water with your facts.

One of my favorite memories was helping an older gentleman choose a mosin from a crate, I picked him out a very nice numbers matching model.

 

[O C]

It's almost like when the local LEO's send in an underager to buy beer, then bust them. It's not beyond the BATF to do a "sting", and the gun shop owner has his very livelihood at stake. It isn't your "normal" customer, and why would a owner jeopardize his business by taking you at face value. It's part of the growing process. You have to show to "them" that you have a genuine interest in guns, are informed, and not one of the "Tactic-cool" wannabes
. If you get in, you're there for life. Most of us have "been there, done that" also, so welcome to the real world.

 

[Neverwinter]

I never really had that problem. By the time I was both legal to buy from an FFL and financially solvent, I was working. That meant 5 days out of 6, I would be shopping in business casual during lunch and after work. That was combined with knowledge beyond the tacticool video game stuff.

 

[Babarsac]

Be careful if you decide to grow out the beard to look older. I took my mother shopping and someone asked if we had kids

 

[mokin]

I got that treatment in my late 20's. I looked young. In my early 20's I was in the Marine Corps rebuilding M-16s, Colt .45s and on occasion, any number of other firearms. Unless I was really interested, I just smiled and moved on. I learned a lot about gun stores then.

 

[Charleo0192]

You get those looks, attitudes, etc because our society looks upon experience very highly. If you are 18 surely you can't have much of it. That's the way some will think of you at least. I'm 18 too and I get the same looks and attitudes as you do, and they aren't limited to only when I am in the gun shop.

Hope they treat you better now that you've shown you are knowledgable of the topic.

 

[19-3Ben]

I'm 26 and a family/divorce attorney. Try being in your mid-20's and convincing middle-aged attorneys to take you seriously as a force in the court room. They've been practicing family law since before I was born!
There's only one way to do it. Actually be better!
I can't be the oldest guy in the room, but I can be the most prepared.


I completely understand you. It's tough out there and age discrimination goes both ways.

 

[19-3Ben]

Y'know, I actually did grow the mustache. It does work.

Yup.

Without my mustache-goatee I look like I'm about 3 years younger.

 

[Jason_W]

Don't expect the gun shop experience to change much as you get older. Often, gun shops seem to be a sort of good ole boys club where the whole business seems to be an excuse for an old curmudgeon and his circle of angry old friends to sit around shooting the breeze. apparently, such places have no need for my business, and I happily oblige their tacit request to leave. The gun shop treatment in such cases has less to do with your age and more to do with the fact that you haven't known the owner for a half century.

In the case of the big box stores, the crappy service probably has a lot to do with the fact that the guy behind the counter is making a shade above min wage and may not have any real knowledge of or interest in firearms.

 

[jiminhobesound]

It's new jersey!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

 

[elano]

I couldn't grow a mustache if I tried! Just isn't in the cards for me, nor any beard that resembles anything other than a billygoat or 16 year old! I make up for it in muscles though.

 

[Bovice]

I don't get that kinda treatment because I know what I'm talking about and if they try to check me on it, I'll tell them how it is. If I don't know, it's a different approach entirely.

I'm 22 now, and I think I'm kinda past that window where they make age a factor. I'm also built like a brick house and wearing a full beard, so it could be that I'm "old enough" now or it could be that I look like Paul Bunyan.

 

[Kliegl]

That's why I leave my favorite gun store saying "Thanks much, Mr. Whitaker" and he always says "Be good, young man!"

 

[JustinJ]

I hate to tell you but in the real world appearances do matter. Faded jeans and plaid shirts with a teenage face don't exactly scream, "respect me and i have money to spend". The way one carries themself is important as well but it can only overcome so much.

To be honest though i think you are worrying way too much what people think, and of people who probably didn't pass the fifth grade. You probably go in there acting nervous bc you're worrying about how you'll be treated. Learn to patronize them and they'll probably at least show you a little respect.

 

[ObsidianOne]

I had this happen to me a few times, but it has slowly gone away (or I just don't care to notice anymore).
I'm 21, and I bought my first gun at 19. I would walk into gun stores and everyone would look down their noses at me and it honestly really bothered me for a while.
I felt that I'm A. of legal age for purchase, B. responsible and willing to learn, and C. my money is printed on the same paper as anyone else's.
My ex girlfriend's stepdad and I used to go shooting a lot so we would go to gun shops on occasion and he knew most of the guys, so being seen with him I guess may have changed their outlook on things.
Not sure, I'd pay it no heed, be firm, but don't be a jerk.
Tell them how you feel, don't show fear. You have to realize though, do you know how many jokers come through their doors and act like fools? Too many, way too many. They're wary and they've become prejudice. Prove them wrong. Don't be a smartass, be humble, and treat them with respect.
If they refuse to sell something to you that is legal to be sold, tell them "I'm in your shop because I chose yours out of anyone else's. I'm here to spend money, to support your business and brick and mortar gun stores everywhere. I'd really like to make this purchase here, but if you don't want to sell to me, that is fine". If they still decline, go somewhere else, someone wants your money, I promise.

 

[ForumSurfer]

So why is it that when a young man such as myself walks into a shop are we automatically assumed to be ignorant, video game playin, atheist mall ninjas and armchair commandos?

Get used to it, it happens. Some people like to assume. The only difference is that when you get older, it is even older folks doing the assuming.



It happens in many different ways. Some days I have to be in a suit and tie. I get treated differently then, too. They are usually more helpful sooner, but are very explicative when mentioning legal stuff. My favorite gun store gives the best reply as they run over to the counter: "Oh, it's you...and here I thought we had a paying customer..." You've bought too much or spent too much time there when they can pick on you like one of their own, I guess.

 

[Dreamcast270mhz]

I'm 200 pounds 5'11 with a five o clock shadow. I've been asked before if I want to buy a handgun, even when I was 16. I've always looked old for my age, but I still get funny looks when I'm carrying my gun case to my car. I'm a little offended at the atheist comment, but this isn't the board to discuss religion.

 

[Arkansas Paul]

Asking to see a Beretta 96, i asked if i can break it down and the guy looks at me and says very sarcastically "only if you can put it back together." Couldve hit him.

Sounds pretty reasonable to me.
As for the OP, you'll miss these days, trust me. I'm about to turn 31 and I finally don't get that much anymore. Between the bald head and the beard, I look a few years older as well. Of course one reason I don't get it much is that I have 2 or 3 shops I visit on a regular basis and have purchased from them all. There's a few I won't patronize for various reasons as well. That's what you do. Tell em with your wallet.

 

[FIVETWOSEVEN]

Grow a proper mustache. A big luxuriant Magnum PI style mustache. That`ll fix all your problems. Impossible to disrespect a Magnum PI mustache.

+1 to that! Back when I was 17, people thought I was in my 20s.

 

[Pronghorn]

I've got the same thing. I own, work on, and even build guns out of parts kits. Im 19 and ever since I got into guns at the age of 11 I have tried to learn everything I can. There is nothing better than embarrassing someone that is "older smarter and a better shooter" than me by blowing them out of the water with my knowledge and experience. Keep it up, we have to make a good name for our generation.