Pistol vs. Rifle ammo?

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tbraddy

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Can anyone tell me why Wal-mart in NC asks if the 22LR ammo I buy is for a pistol or Rifle? What is this all about? Some left-wing conspiracy I should be worried about? Or no big deal? Any thoughts?
 
Yeah, if you are under 21, you can't buy pistol ammo. But if you have a pistol caliber carbine, you can buy the ammo. Really screwed up(?), yeah.
 
Shevrock got it right. It depends on the locality. In some places, since .22 LR can be used in some pistols they have to ask because you have to show ID if you are going to use it in a pistol.

in some states they simplify this by only allowing .22 LR to be sold to those 21 and over.

In some localities you actually have to sign a paper stating that you won't use it in a pistol if you are under 21.

It's a load of hooey. If you're under age and going shooting you get your older brother to buy it for you anyway. Of course the liberals are going to "register ammo" to stop this. Yeah, right...:rolleyes:
 
Thanks for the info, all. I am WAY past the age of 21, so that hasn't even crossed my mind. Guess I better get my tinfoil hat adjusted. Cheers!! :rolleyes:
 
We have the same thing in Illinois, the register even reminds them to ask if we are over/under 21 when buying any caliber that can be used in rifles or pistols.

Stupid as can be.
 
Rifle? Pistol? Tell them neither...be shooting it in my machine gun! :D The look? Priceless!!

I just wish I really did have a machine gun!

Mark.
 
Here's my standard answer for that question.

Here's why Wal-Mart asks...

In 1987 a 19-year-old guy by the name of Miles shot and killed a certain woman by the name of Phillips with a .357 handgun using ammo he bought at K-Mart. Later, he offed himself. The children of the victim sued K-mart for negligence saying that a 19-year-old shouldn't have been able to buy handgun ammo. However, the clerk had asked what it was for and Miles said it was for his hunting rifle. Because the guy said it was for a rifle, the court said K-Mart wasn't negligent.

In 1989, a 20-year-old named Russell shot a guy named Bell with .44 Mag ammo bought from a certain Smitty's Smitty's Super Valu (sic). Bell sued Smitty claiming that Smitty's negligently sold Russell handgun ammunition in violation of federal law. The court disagreed and said that interchangable ammo was not restricted to those 21 or older.

ATF stated in a publication that a licensee may sell interchangeable ammunition to a person less than 21 years old "provided the buyer is 18 years or older, and the dealer is satisfied that it is for use in a rifle."

Then, in late 1995, an 18-year-old by the name of Cavnor bought a box of .357 from Wal-Mart shot a kid named Stone. Stone's mother sued Wal-Mart for selling the kid ammo. Wal-Mart asked for a summary judgement based on the the previous two cases (and some other things). The court denied it, saying: The Phillips case and ATF's interpretation do not provide Defendant automatic cover because a material issue of fact exists as to whether Wal-Mart's clerk made a sufficient inquiry to determine Mr. Cavnor's age and the type of weapon he intended to use with his new bullets.

So now what does Wal-Mart do? They program their POS terminal to ask for the use and age each time ammo they have coded as interchangable comes up. That way they have documented proof on each transaction that they made inquiry to determine age and type of weapon.

Can we put this one to bed now? It's not a nefarious plan, it is simply a corporation trying to protect itself from frivolous lawsuits by complying with federal statutes based on the lessons of case law.
Click to expand...
 
im out here in WNC, 18 yrs old, and wallyworld chose not to sell me any .22lr i was trying to get for the feb rimfire match so i had to ask someone else to get it for me, how do you convince them you are not gonna use it for anything but rifle? try looking less conspicuous lol?
 
I sort of get a kick out of their checking ID. The clerk in the sporting goods department just smiles as I wave my ID so the camera can see it.

Yes, the 18 age thing. After the 68 gun control act, stores were required to record your name as part of the transaction. Sure glad that requirement got changed.

Jorg, didn't know the history. Thanks for the lesson.
 
Want more proof that gun laws just exist but do not make sense?

You need to be 21 under federal law to buy handgun ammunition.
You need to be 21 to buy a handgun through an FFL.

You do not need to be 21 to own a handgun, carry a handgun (where allowed by state law) or shoot a handgun, yes with handgun ammunition. :neener:
A parent or other private party can give or sell someone 18-20 a handgun in many states and it does not conflict with federal law.

So there is in fact 18-20 year old individuals who legaly have a permit to carry concealed in states requiring a license/permit/tax, or can carry a handgun concealed in states not requiring a Concealed carry license like Vermont or can even open carry in many more states that allow that.

So they can own, shoot and carry loaded handguns but they cannot legaly buy handgun ammunition for the purpose of using it in a handgun. So they can legaly have the handgun ammunition and the handgun, they just cannot legaly purchase the ammunition themselves.

Lying that it is for a long arm when it is intended for a handgun to simply bypass this idiocy would also be a crime as it is intentionaly violating the federal statute.

Welcome to the world of gun laws. Leave logic at the door.

edit to add someone in Vermont can even carry concealed with no permit if they are merely 16 and over. They however cannot buy ammunition for the firearm they can legaly carry loaded and concealed for another 5 years.
 
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i agree, they used to do the same thing in michigan. i dont know if they still do or not. they take one look at the grey hair and wrinkles and know i am over 21! LOL!
 
It has been so long since I've been asked that question that I can't remember when it was. All I can say is it was a LONG time ago. I buy ammo regularly in New Mexico and Texas. They just hand over whatever I ask for, no questions asked.
 
I'm way past 18 or 21 and I've been asked numerous times at our local Walmart what the ammo will be used for.

I usually just give them a, I'm dumbfounded look, and tell them I don't currently know what I'm going to use the ammo for but that I've seen it used to start fires.
 
the correct answer to this question is always "machine gun"
Click to expand...

I'm sure there there is nothing more exhilarating than dazzling a WalMart clerk with your clever responses. The rush of adrenaline one feels knowing that they have thwarted the simple request of an experienced and challenging intellectual adversary must course through your veins in a way few mortal men can know. The scent of a fear as the clerk trembles, his voice wavering as he tells you there is only the option for rifle or pistol, the unmistakable feeling of control you've wrestled away from the hapless minion of this evil retail giant... it's ambrosia... oh, the ecstasy of victory!

I get the feeling the folks that say, "Machine Gun" are the same guys who walk around in the summer saying "Hot enough for you?" and replies to the query "Did you get a hair cut?" with "No, I got them all cut!" ;)
 
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As was mentioned earlier...
So now what does Wal-Mart do? They program their POS terminal to ask for the use and age each time ammo they have coded as interchangable comes up. That way they have documented proof on each transaction that they made inquiry to determine age and type of weapon.

I am 57 years old and look it however they still ask me. Just bought som (mm a couple hrs ago
 
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