Purchasing Ammo -- When did it become a crime?

[Juna]

So I went into Wal-Mart the other day to pick up a box of 9x19mm ammo. After the usual 30 minute wait to get some idiot over to the sporting goods counter (which I normally put up with b/c of the low price) to unlock the cabinet and take out a box for me (which I already find is a ridiculous and annoying practice), the guy tells me HE has to walk the ammo box to the front of the store and put it in a designated area where the cashier can get it and ring me up.

Since when did purchasing ammo become a crime?? I've encountered this at other stores, and I stopped buying ammo there. Now Wal-Mart does it too. I find it ridiculous that they keep the pistol and rifle ammo locked up, but you can get 12 gauge shells galore right off the shelf. None of it should be locked up.

Plus, I was treated like a criminal during the entire transaction. I was in a hurry b/c my wife was already in line, and he was watching me like I was gonna rob the place. Then the cashier looked at me like I was a terrorist and checked my ID. The computer screen made her verify that I was OVER 21 YEARS OLD! Since when do I need to be over 21 to purchase ammo??? Guns are already restricted and our II A right is already infringed upon, but now ammo too?

Anyone else have experiences like this? Thoughts?

 

[S.P.E.C.T.R.E.]

The absurdity lies within the fact that if you had intentions of robbing them, wouldn't you just buy the ammo, go out to your car, load your gun, then go back in? The policy offers the store no protection at all.

Also, what kind of ammo? You have to be 21 to buy pistol ammo. This is stupid, of course, with all the .22LR, 9mm, and .45cal pistols and rifles out there.

 

[TheArchDuke]

Yeah I was going to buy my brother some .357 mag for his birthday and they said I couldn't because I'm only 20. But what if I owned a lever action rifle in .357? Makes no sense.

 

[griz]

At "my" Walmart they usually require you to pay for any of the locked items before you leave the counter. Maybe your "associate" was not checked out on the cash register or did not have a key?

But I can't understand their policies either. They wouldn't sell me a case of shotgun shells at night. I told them I already had some, I didn't need these even if I wanted to shoot 250 people that night, but she said it was the rules.

 

[quatin]

To take paranoia away. Walmart stores catalog a list of "commonly theft/easily stolen" items. These items are locked away if possible and are required to be escorted to a cashier or paid for immediately. If they let people walk around with ammo boxes, people would take the bullets out of the box, put them in their pockets and walk out.

 

[battlehatch]

Our local walmart has the same system, locked up ammo, a really inept person behind the counter, and shotgun shells on the shelf. I really have a problem with people that cannot read BOLD PRINT. I ask for .45 ACP, the re-tread hands me .40 S&W?! As if it doesn't have 3/4'' bold print on the front already... If they weren't the cheapest place around, I swear.

 

[El Tejon]

We really need a Wal-Mart forum.

You have to be 21 since the Safe Streets Act of 1968.

If you do not like the way you were treated by MegaLoMart or the Try-N-Sav, then why not shop at a gun store instead?

 

[hso]

Just walked into the local Wally World on Tuesday and bought 100 white box .45 right at the sporting goods counter and the clerk dropped them in a bag with the receipt and gave them to me.

 

[FilJos]

Regarding the .22LR

This is even more idiotic than the fact that it is locked up.

The last time I bought .22LR at Wal-Mart, they cashier asked me if it was for a rifle or a pistol. See, if I had answered "A pistol" then I would have to be 21, but since I answered, "A rifle." I only had to be 18. I am over both of those ages, but I still find it absurd.

Also, I second El Tejon's sentiment that we should shop at gun stores. We need to support them, because they support us and the IIA. When we run them out of business by shopping at Cheap-O-Mart, all we are doing is setting ourselves up for the day that the corporations stop selling guns and ammo in order to avoid lawsuits and brady boycotts.

 

[Jorg Nysgerrig]

Since when do I need to be over 21 to purchase ammo???

This isn't a new thing for handgun ammo.

None of it should be locked up.

It's not illegal to buy an Ipod either, but they sure don't let you just walk around with one on your hand. It's about loss-prevention, not infringing your rights. Reducing shrinkage is key to keeping profit margins, which need to be maintained to keep low prices.

which I normally put up with b/c of the low price

And right there is the answer to your question. That's why they do what they do.

 

[Juna]

If you do not like the way you were treated by MegaLoMart or the Try-N-Sav, then why not shop at a gun store instead?

This is a valid point. The short answer is that right now I'm in a time of financial strain, so I go where the prices are lowest (it's $10 for 50 rds of 9mm ammo at the local range & $12 for 100 rounds at Wal-Mart). However, in 5 or 6 years I'll be better off financially and plan to get all my guns & ammo at the local shop. I agree in supporting the local small businesses, but the problem is just that I can't afford to do so right now, or I'd never be able to shoot very often. But to be honest, I hate all large stores like Wal-Mart. I avoid them whenever possible, and the only thing I used to buy there was ammo.

You have to be 21 since the Safe Streets Act of 1968.

Does anyone else have a problem with this? I mean, regardless of the argument that you might have a 9mm carbine rifle or something like that, don't you think it's ridiculous to restrict the age for ammo purchase when firearms purchases are already heavily restricted (which already violates the 2nd Amendment)? Even if you agree with the 21 to buy a hand gun thing, you should be able to buy ammo galore b/c what are you going to be able to do with it w/o a gun?

 

[Joe7cri]

If you do not like the way you were treated by MegaLoMart or the Try-N-Sav, then why not shop at a gun store instead?

Can't afford to buy ammo at the local gun shop. Walmart has Winchester 9mm White box 100 ct. for 12.88, local gun store is charging 18.99. I've asked them to match it or at least come close, they said "sorry, the price is the price." I shoot 300-400 rds a weekend, I can't afford to pay the extra $6.00 per box, as it is, I might have to cut back to every other weekend

 

[battlehatch]

We really need a Wal-Mart forum.

You have to be 21 since the Safe Streets Act of 1968.

If you do not like the way you were treated by MegaLoMart or the Try-N-Sav, then why not shop at a gun store instead?

Because my local gunshop sucks. It's easier trying to get someone to attend to you at the DMV. That and the fact that they jack the prices up.

 

[Guzzizzit]

The first, and last, time i tried to purchase .40 s&w ammo at a local walmart i asked the associate for 5 boxes and was told "store policy" said they could only sell me 2 at a time. Funny part was the same rule applied if it was 2, 50 round boxes of blazers or 2, 250 round UMC Mega Packs. i'm also assuming they'd have sold 2, 500 round bricks of .22 lr but not let you buy more than 2 of the 50 round boxes of the same ammo. I'm sure this all makes sense to someone.

 

[battlehatch]

Probably the same people that decided that 1-30 round magazine is worse than 3-10 round magazines.

 

[trainwreck100]

Only one of the people at this Wal-Mart knows anything about ammo (and she's probably the best looking employee they have) but she only works the day shift, so for the most part you can buy anything and tell them it's for a rifle...usually you have to tell them where it is in the cabinet too. She's also the only one that checks ID's...before I was 18 I either had to go at the right time of day, or go to the trap range to buy ammo. Some of it's a good deal cheaper at the gun shop anyway, and Academy is competitive too.

Greg

 

[skipjack]

I had a clerk at Dick's tell me that I had to give a copy of my driver's license to purchase handgun ammo. When I inquired what law compels me to do so, he admitted that it was an "arrangement" with the local police department, and that there is no law pertaining to my cooperating. I refused, and got the ammo anyway. I think it is invasive; I have to undergo approval to buy the firearm under Maryland law. Until the state passes a law requiring giving that or other info out to buy ammo, I will continue to refuse to comply.
It is none of their business.

 

[RobW]

The whole thing has to do with political correctness and the threat of lawsuits if the clerk acts reasonable (reason has left the country long time ago).

I was ID'd at a gas station when I bought a 6-pack MGD. Ladies and Gentlemen, I am 58 years old and really don't look younger than 30

Asking the ringing up: "Are you insane?" I've got the answer: "That's our rule, no exeption" (was the last time I filled up gas and bought anything there - and let them know why).

But, my Wal-Mart guys are great! They ask me all the time if I'm done with the whole shopping and than ring up EVERYTHING, not only the ammo because "we want to prevent a cashier from a heart attack if she sees ammo!"

 

[Zedicus]

Reason Number 100 to move to idaho.

Ammo isn't locked up at the Walfarts here, you name it its in the open on a shelf only things even in a display Case's are the Rifles & Shotguns.

Gotta Love this State!

 

[TonyB]

My problem w/ Wal-Mart is that nobody knows the same rules.Once had a guy escort me to the door when buying ammo..Once had the 2 boxes rule..once bought a case.Have been asked the handgun question about 1/2 the time...never ID'd.They seem to be very incosistant w/ the rules.
BTW when I bought the case,the kid asked:how long will this last you?"
I said"probably today..I'll be back tomarrow."
He just said kind of zoned out and said"cool"

 

[dillonuser]

Walfarts

Man,does that name fit. And I won't do business with them.

I also use some similar names for your windows software company: Microslop,Microsnot,and Micro*****.

 

[Deanimator]

Also, I second El Tejon's sentiment that we should shop at gun stores. We need to support them, because they support us and the IIA.

That's not necessarily the case. There used to be a gunstore in Milan, OH run by some cops. One time while I was browsing, I overheard one of them say to the other that ALL gun purchases should have to be through an FFL and that private purchases between individuals should be banned. I never bought anything else there again.

None of the gunstores in the Cleveland area are particularly good. If I want good selection and service, I have to drive to the Akron area. I'm not terribly interested in poor service, poor selection AND high prices, so if I don't want to drive forty minutes, I can buy at gunshows (which I do), buy mailorder (which I occasionally do), or stop at Wally World, which I have to pass on the way to the range.

I reload all of my high volume practice ammunition. If I don't want to change dies or if I want to shoot something I don't reload (9x19mm, .40S&W, etc.), Wally World is just fine.

 

[Deanimator]

My problem w/ Wal-Mart is that nobody knows the same rules.Once had a guy escort me to the door when buying ammo..Once had the 2 boxes rule..once bought a case.Have been asked the handgun question about 1/2 the time...never ID'd.They seem to be very incosistant w/ the rules.
BTW when I bought the case,the kid asked:how long will this last you?"
I said"probably today..I'll be back tomarrow."
He just said kind of zoned out and said"cool"

The biggest problem in the North Olmsted, OH store is finding somebody to get your ammo out of the case. I've stopped TWO Wal-Drones and STILL waited an hour without being helped. When I don't have a couple of hours to kill waiting to be helped, I've taken to calling ahead. Imagine, making an APPOINTMENT at Walmart! Of course I've been treated even worse at Dick's Sporting Goods, where people have seen me standing at the gun and ammo counter without even acknowledging my presence. That took 1/2 hour and two requests too, but at least somebody finally showed up.

 

[El Barto]

I was at a Wal-Mart in Las Vegas when I spied boxes of .45 white box for $20 for 100. I wanted two boxes so I asked the guy behind the counter if I could buy them, even though I'm from the evil state of California. He kind of laughed and said "no problem". He rang me up at the counter and I was a happy camper.

Here in Los Angeles, I would have at least had to give my first born, that is if I could find a Wal-Mart that carries ammo.

 

[Handgun Midas]

I've also experienced long waits and escorts while buying ammo at Walmart.
If the sporting goods register isn't closed down, I'll just pay for the ammo right there.
Once I bought 200rds of .22l and a crate of eggs at the sporting counter; the guy didn't seem to pick up on what I was planning. "Did you check all your eggs for cracks, sir?"

I've done some amateur economic figuring pertaining to buying WWB .45 at Walmart versus buying CCI Blazer Aluminum .45 from Natchez.
Even with the $14 shipping, Natchez gets the edge at the 300rd mark.
So Walmart is only useful if I didn't budget my ammo well and I just need about 100rds for that day; which is just as well because WWB is so much dirtier than CCI.