Just Got Back from the Gun Shop...

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Ohio Rifleman

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I've been to this place a couple of times before, as I think it's pretty new. Today was "Sig Day" there where they had some free food and a Sig Sauer representative there. There were several people there, more than a few women.

Anyway, at 20 years old, I was by far the youngest person there. This particular gun shop seems to be more catered towards CCW tactical kind of customers. However, it's pretty much the only gun shop nearby, so I dropped in to see what this Sig Day stuff was all about.

I browsed a bit, picked up a pair of foam earplugs for the heck of it. (They were free for today) Thought about buying some Break Free, but didn't...

Anyway, my long-winded point is this. I just felt like I didn't belong there. Since it's mostly handguns there, and I'm just a stupid serf under 21, I was pretty SOL there, and the folks behind the counter were busy chatting up with customers, talking tactics and concealed carry. You can see what guns I own below in my sig line. Is there something wrong with me? I'm passionate about firearms of all sorts, yet, in a gun shop, I felt uncomfortable? :what:
 
Saturdays are not a good day to go into a gun shop just to browse, IF you also want face time with the staff. And given that they were having a Sig day, they probably had a busier-than-usual morning.

Go back during the week when that isn't going on and check them out. After all, you might as well be shopping for your 21st birthday present to yourself. :D

Springmom
 
Besides

It's never to early to start planning CCW!
:cool:

I remember what it's like waiting to turn 21. Be patient and things will turn out ok. Don't judge them based on this alone, because in less than a year you'll be 21 and I have a feeling you'll be wanting to do your share of CCW too.
 
The same is true of anyone in a store where you don't fit. (I feel out of place when my wife drags me into a women's clothing store!). It is not a matter of being young, a situation you always grow out of, but a matter of a different aspect of a large hobby group. Many rifle shooters don't socialize well with shotgunners, pistol shooters with small bore rifle competitors, etc. That is normal, and OK as long as we all remember we have to work together against the antis who have never met a gun they didn't want to confiscate and destroy.

Jim
 
I've been to this place before, and it's a nice little gun shop. I just wish they were a bit more rifle-friendly.

I did manage to talk a little with the staff, and found out that they can sight-in the scope on my 10/22 for me, which I just might do soon.

Maybe I should start saving up now to buy a pistol when I turn 21. (April 3, 2008)
 
Don't take it personal. They probably think you're too young to purchase so they don't want to spend the time on you.
When you reach 21 go back with the moola and try to deal with them.
Once they understand that you are a serious customer they will come around.
 
i have to say the weekend is the worst time to go to a shop....i prefer weekday afternoons....and on a specialty day look out..but for feeling out of place i do that in some shops and in some others i dont...it is just the surroundings...and with collecting or owning anything everybody buys or collects what they want...be different do what makes you happy
 
uhh..you know you can buy a used handgun at 18
Click to expand...

uhh, you know you can't just read one law and have it apply to all states. :rolleyes:

Ohio Rifleman, ORC 2923.211 doesn't seem to differentiate between used and new or commercial and private sales. You may want to check around locally to see what you can find out.
 
Virginia

In Virginia, 18 is the age for handguns.

Looks like it is 21 in Ohio. As usual, cops are apparently special. Curious that it says purchase, rather than possess.
2923.211 Underage purchase of firearm or handgun.

(A) No person under eighteen years of age shall purchase or attempt to purchase a firearm.

(B) No person under twenty-one years of age shall purchase or attempt to purchase a handgun, provided that this division does not apply to the purchase or attempted purchase of a handgun by a person eighteen years of age or older and under twenty-one years of age if the person eighteen years of age or older and under twenty-one years of age is a law enforcement officer who is properly appointed or employed as a law enforcement officer and has received firearms training approved by the Ohio peace officer training council or equivalent firearms training.

(C) Whoever violates division (A) of this section is guilty of underage purchase of a firearm, a delinquent act that would be a felony of the fourth degree if it could be committed by an adult. Whoever violates division (B) of this section is guilty of underage purchase of a handgun, a misdemeanor of the second degree.

Effective Date: 01-01-2002
Click to expand...
 
What SpringMom said . . . and if it happens on a regular basis, find another gun shop. Unfortunately, some shops are like that . . . there is one locally, and because I was not one of the "catered few," I was treated differently. It has cost them significant $$$$ over 27 years.
 
I don't think they were being jerks, it's just that I'm rather shy and not terribly assertive. And those folks were already there when I showed up. I did manage to talk to someone, and found out that if I bring in my 10/22 they'll sight in the scope for me.

Ohio Rifleman: Hey ! We've got the same birthday... just ten years apart.
Click to expand...

Believe it or not, my dad's birthday is 3 days after mine, on the 6th. He's almost exactly 30 years older than I am.
 
It may be because you are so young, in an area that has alot of older folks. I used to feel the same way when I started going to gun shows (about 25 years ago). You'll be alright, just go as often as you can and you will start feeling like more of the crowd.
Have a good one.
 
I went to the gun shop today too..

And 2 guns followed me home.

a Sig 226 Navy in NM cond.
And a S&W 1911 in NM with 4 mags....

Im a proud papa...

Cigars for everyone

But, im over 21 and they know me.... now just keep going, get known to the staff as someone cool and you will be in with th e cool kids.
 
And 2 guns followed me home.

a Sig 226 Navy in NM cond.
And a S&W 1911 in NM with 4 mags....

Im a proud papa...

Cigars for everyone
Click to expand...

Lucky. Seems like most people here buy, sell and trade guns like candy. Whereas, pretty much all I can afford is milsurps and maybe 22s. I did see a scoped Marlin 60 there for $131...
 
I'm not in quite the same situation--I'm a woman in my late twenties and almost always have a toddler in tow. But I've found that although I think I should feel like I fit in in any gun shop, I simply don't. Some of them are downright unfriendly to women, many are overtly patronizing. Some look askance at the kid (no, I do not let her touch the guns.) I guess I've just figured out that simply having some interests and some goals in common with the proprietor of an establishment doesn't mean I will enjoy going there.

I finally bought myself a rifle--just a little used Marlin 60 for $70--but I drove close to two hours to buy it from a shop that specializes in the stuff I like: mid-range sporting guns, lots and lots of used at good prices, and older military rifles. Fortunately, I had other business to transact in that area and so I didn't overspend on gas, but I would've gone there anyway. A good shop is worth seeking out and that relationship is worth cultivating, imho. They recognized me from last week when I'd picked out the gun and got some gear, and were real friendly today.

When it comes to handguns I like SA revolvers and that's about it, and I don't own a single handgun yet. I would feel out of place in a shop that specializes in CCWs and tactical gear. Not my thing. And that's ok.
 
delta9, I do feel bad for women and some of their gun shop horror stories I hear about here, regarding gun shop morons who are condescending and rude to women shooters. :barf: And yes, this place was mostly tactical CCW stuff. I feel your pain.
 
Delta9, you figured it out. Of all the gun stores in our area, the one we reward with our business is the one that will actually talk to my 15 yr old son.
 
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