Funny question while buying ammo

[RicVa]

I was buying some plinking .223 ammo at Dick's Sporting Goods the other day. The guy in the "lodge" section of the store was very helpful, but told me I had to pay at the front. So, I check out with a young guy at the cash register, and he says to me, "This for target?" I said, "Yeah, why do you know anything about it?" I was asking because I never bought this particular brand of ammo before and I thought he might tell me it was good or bad. He says, "No, nothing like that, they just want us to ask what it is for." I chuckled and said, "They want you to ask that?" He responds, "Yes, actually I think it's a federal law." I politely laughed and shook my head and told him it wasn't.

I know this kid is just doing what he is told, but what do the higher-ups at Dick's really think this is accomplishing? What kind of answers do they expect from their customers?

 

[Standing Wolf]

...what do the higher-ups at Dick's really think this is accomplishing?

They're trying to drive shooters to real gun shops. I think they're likely to succeed.

 

[Northslope Nimrod]

Wally World

Lately, I have had cashier's at Wally World ask, "Is this for a handgun?", when I buy 9mm. They have asked my brother-in-law as well. If you say "yes," they ID you. But if you say "no" then you just pay and you're on your way. My brother-in-law now just tells them it is for a rifle. Weird!

 

[ReadyontheRight]

"This for target?"

"This for Drivin'?" (Cars)
"This for Swimmin'?" (Pools)
"This for Paintin'?" (Buckets)
"This for Healin'?" (Medical Doctorate Degrees)

Just a few things that kill more people than guns each year for which no one ever thinks they have any right to ask "WHY?" AND which are not protected by any Constitutional documents.

We need to start saying "None of your business."

Loudly.

 

[R.H. Lee]

An attempt at intimidation. Idiots.

 

[DigMe]

Maybe they think if the cashier asks it in a friendly, conversational tone they'll catch some terrorist offguard and they'll accidentally spill the beans.

Cashier: Nice weather out, eh?
Customer: Yup.
Cashier: So....this for target?
Customer: Nah I'm gonna shoot up a school....wha..hey!
Cashier: Got ya!
Customer: GAH!!! DAMN YOU AND YOUR CASUAL FRIENDLINESS!!

brad cook

 

[logical]

If I'm shooting at it...it's a target.

 

[Bill2k1]

yea they ask handgun at wal-mart, I don't make the effort to correct them when I buy .22 I guess no reason too since I shoot it outta both.

 

[Number 6]

While I agree this is an asinine question, they might be trying to cover themselves in case someone actually commits a crime with ammunition from their store. It won't do a bit of good in actually preventing a crime, but it allows them to tell the police that they tried to only sell to people with the intent of target practice. Its silly, but a possibility nevertheless.

 

[Darkmind]

Maybe they think if the cashier asks it in a friendly, conversational tone they'll catch some terrorist offguard and they'll accidentally spill the beans.

Cashier: Nice weather out, eh?

Customer: Yup.

Cashier: So....this for target?

Customer: Nah I'm gonna shoot up a school....wha..hey!

Cashier: Got ya!

Customer: GAH!!! DAMN YOU AND YOUR CASUAL FRIENDLINESS!!

Darn you, you owe me a new keyboard. LOL

 

[whm1974]

While I agree this is an asinine question, they are might be trying to cover themselves in case someone actually commits a crime with ammunition from their store. It won't do a bit of good in actually preventing a crime, but it allows them to tell the police that they tried to only sell to people with the intent of target practice. Its silly, but a possibility nevertheless.

Like anyone planning on doing something illegal is going to tell the sales clerk.

-Bill

 

[patentmike]

Target? Why would I shop there?

Target? no, these are for my rifle. I use paper for targets.

 

[Crosshair]

I work at Wal-Mart and the only reason I ask what the ammo is for is to find what kind of gun they have. Then hopefully strike up a conversation. (When the boss isn't around of course. )

 

[MountainPeak]

I would have told him; "No, I rarely hit what I aim at"!!

 

[WheelMan]

The age question is quazi-legit. Because there are different ages for buying rifle and handgun ammo (18 and 21 repectivley) In missouri at least. How legit the age difference is is up for debate, but the question based on that seems resonable.

When I'm asked that I'm more and more tempted to say "submachine gun, how should we count that?"

 

[Husker1911]

As for the clerk's question, I betcha he's acting on his own here. It's probably some dumb computer nurd with a grudge against guns in general. I doubt the question is directed from the management.

Concerning the age handgun ammo can be sold (21), it's a federal law, and does not vary from state to state. So if we're selling .22LR, 9MM, .40, or .45acp ammo, we ask younger appearing customers what they're firing their purchased ammo in. It covers our south 40!.

 

[MikeIsaj]

I was out of town and needed ammo and ended up at Dicks. The cashier asked me if I was sure it was the right ammo. I was carrying at the time and although I would never do it, I wondered what his reaction would have been if I were to check the fit at the counter.

This is going into my file of stupid questions cashiers/clerks actually expect honest answers to. Now I can spend some time coming up with stupid answers that won't get me arrested.

Are you using this for targets?

(a) Ahh, err, YES, targets, that's what you could call them, targets!

(b) They're kinda small for targets, I'm going to shoot them at targets.

(c) Who wants to know? Who told you to ask me that? Are they watching me now? DON'T LOOK, just nod your head in the general direction.

(d) Why are you picking on me?

(e) Did you ask that kid what he was using the baseball bat for?

(f) Did you ask the camper if he was choping wood with that axe you just
sold him?

(g) Did you ask the golfer what he planned on hitting with that driver?

(h) Did you ask the archer what his arrows were for?

This is why you buy ammo from your local un shop, not Dicks. Is the dollar you save really worth it?

 

[xv920j]

for target?

Sounds like a Bill Engvall comedy routine.
These for shootin'?
Nah......Real gun guys pour milk over 'em and eat 'em for breakfast. Here's your sign.

 

[Bear Gulch]

I just don't buy ammo there. I wonder when they are going to start asking if the skeet we buy there are for target shooting?

 

[RicVa]

Yeah, there's really no reason to patronize Dick's any more after this experience. It wasn't that it was unpleasant, but I think it shows their attitude toward gun owners. And like some of you have posted, even if someone had "bad" intentions for their ammo, what do they think they would actually answer to that question? It was also weird that somehow this kid thought it was a federal law to ask.

 

[Billll]

Clerk: "Rifle or pistol?"

Me (with brick or .22): Machine gun.

Clerk: OK, as long as it's not for pistol, we don't have to ID.

Me: Thank you.

 

[Bear Gulch]

"It is for storage in my secret, survivalist compound, and moutain bunker. Where those evil agents of the Gubmint ain't gonna come no more!" But here in Idaho that answer wouldn't be unusual.

 

[Zackmeister]

DigMe's post is the funniest thing I've read in a while.

 

[Nathaniel Firethorn]

Bear Gulch, is it really that extreme out there? Was just looking at vacation spots in Coeur d'Alene and it seemed like a Yuppie paradise.

BTW, remembering Ye Olde Topyk: It could have been a tax-related question too. Some places charge taxes on ammo other than "target." Hence, everyone is shooting bullseye with JHP.

- pdmoderator

 

[Bear Gulch]

Not at all, but lots of folks think that it is. The Aryan Nation used to be near CDA. But they have pretty much been run off. I have not beef with tru COnstitutionalists and Milita, but the racists I have little use for. But if images of skinhead land keep the folks from moving here in droves, I guess I am ina a quandry!

I live way down in SE Idaho by Jellystone. My area is largely settled by Latter-Day Saints (Mormons). They are good folks and it is the best of small town America. I am 2 miles from the Henry's fork of the Snake where Ph.D. level flyfishing abounds. Elk, bear, moose and yes wolves abound. It really is a great place.