Walmart, Ammo, Need Lawyer's Advice

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Mike128

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I know this goes with the other thread but I need a lawyer's advice. Talking to the local Walmart Customer Rep he said that taking down the DL information is a State Police request. They, the Maryland State Police, collect the information every couple of months. I assume they are building a data base on who is buying what ammunition. I was lied to by Walmart employees to get my DL information, they said it was a LAW. If I bought ammo anywhere they don't take down this information than I'm breaking the law and can be prosecuted.

Isn't this against some kind of privacy law? How can we find out what this information is collected for? Most importantly how can we get this stopped?

Forgot to add: The manager said this practice will not stop. Please call and write Walmart. We give this up and it will only snowball into a real law.
 
Have you called the Maryland State Police and verified this? Have you contacted your state representative and had him or her ask the state police about it?

It's entirely possible the Wal-Mart rep you spoke to lied to you. Until you know the truth, you can't really plan your next step.

Jeff
 
I'm not looking to sue. I just want this stopped. I want to see if what Walmart is doing is illegal or not.
But it is a good idea. I'll call the MSP in the morning and find out what they say. Thanks
 
MDSP has no such policy. Nor is it state law. Rest assured that if MDSP had this requirement and and it wasn't law, Walmart's legal staff would be all over it. As soon as I find one, I'll post a simple fill in the blanks letter you can mail to Walmart Corporate Headquarters.

Unless they are taking your SSN without advising you of the Privacy Act of 1974, they aren't violating any privacy laws.
 
There's another, less insidious possibility... around here in Arizona, every so often you'll have do provide ID and sign a log book when buying alcohol from the supermarket... the local authorities force them to do this for a while after they've been busted selling to an underage customer.

It may simply be that the store was caught selling ammunition to someone who was not legally permitted to purchase it, and now has to go through the same sort of deal. It may be more to keep tabs on the store than the purchasers. Hopefully your phone call to the State Police will shed some more light on things.
 
PCF, Thanks. Looking forward to the letter. The manager called me back and said he will check in with regional. Still calling MDSP tomorrow.
 
As per federal law, the ammo seller is required to ASK if the buyer is of age, the seller is NOT required to get any proof.

I run into this issue at the local Knuckleheadmart, the one guy HATES to see me coming to buy ammo, cuz everytime they ask the question" handgun or long gun?" I answer "doesnt matter, I am over 21" aggravates the heck out of them. The one idiot even tried to tell me that "They require us to track that. "

Maryland could have their own law, best to ask the state police
 
They do the same thing here in NJ - keep a log of name and address of anyone buying handgun ammo.

I was going to say that if you buy via the web you get around this but I guess you don't because they know where they shipped it and your name from your credit card so they got you any way.
 
To those posting and stating the purchases are logged in other states... is it consistently logged in all stores you purchase from, or only in certain ones (Walmart, Sportsman's Warehouse, Bass Pro Shops, etc)?
 
*****This is based off a letter I wrote to CVS late last year, worked with them, might work with Wally world. Spelling and grammar check a must before sending.
**********
1234 Any Street
City, Maryland, Zip Code
Phone number

February 16, 2006

Walmart Stores, Incorporated
Bentonville, Arkansas 72716

Dear Sirs,

I regularly shop at the Walmart Store in City, Maryland. On Day February 2006, I attempted to buy number of boxes of caliber ammunition. In order to purchase the ammunition I was told by Store Manager name that I would have to provide my Driver's License information. I was told by Store Manager name that the information is being collecting at the request of the Maryland State Police and is a matter of state law. Under Maryland Code, Criminal Law, Title IV. Weapons Crimes, there are no provision requiring that the sales of ammunition be recorded. Nor does the Maryland State Police have the authority to force Walmart Stores to track the sale of ammunition. Nor does Walmart Stores Incorporated have a policy to require that this information be collected.

I appreciate that the Store Manager has taken the initiative to attempt to prevent crime; however, Federal Law already has provisions in place to stop criminals from buying ammunition. Store Manager name's initiative will not prevent crime, and only endangers the security and safety of Walmart's customers' identities. There is no need for Walmart to needlessly collect this information, and if mishandled can be extremely disruptive to the lives of your customers. The Federal Bureau of Investigations regularly reports that identity theft is the fastest growing crime in America, with cost to business and consumers expected to exceed $60 billion this year.

I respectfully request that you stop Store Manager name from engaging in this activity that endagers the safety and security of your customers. I'm a loyal Walmart Customer, but will no longer shop at your stores if this action continues. The Maryland General Assembly and media outlets have been rather abusive of Walmart this past year, I'm positive that this problem will be resolved with no further action on my part.

I would be greatful if you would provide details of any actions your are taking, in writing.

Sincerely



Your Name
 
Question

One of the wonderful advantages of living in South Dakota. If I buy ammo at Wal-Mart I get asked the following question:

Paper or plastic? :neener: :neener:
 
We've had certain Wal-Marts here in MN go off the deep end and attempt to enforce non-existent corporate policies. A quick call to corporate generally got it fixed. 1-800-WALMART. Letters do work, too. Sounds like the manager is on a power trip. The most they do up here is check the date of birth on my ID, even then, it's pretty rare. Guess I'm getting old!! :(

Here's OUR discussion on the WalMart issues with ammo:
http://www.twincitiescarry.com/forum/viewtopic.php?t=641
 
In response to the question above, I never remember them not taking the information and I recall purchasing ammo at multiple stores, but NOT at Walmart.

These were sporting goods and or gun stores.
 
Gotta love Florida.
Walmart computer cash registers ask the question 'rifle or handgun' as part of the transaction...so the poor clerk has to make a selection.
I've always just told them to pick one...none have ever had a problem with that.
And of course there is never any ID nonsense...I don't look as young as I used to. :rolleyes:
 
I bought handgun ammo at Oshman's a while ago, and the guy tells me "I have to carry it to the cash register, Federal law." I say, "it's not, but whatever, if you want to carry my stuff, go for it. Do you want to carry this ammo box and my cleaning supplies too?" He didn't appreciate that, and went off on me, telling me I didn't know squat. I let him carry all 10 boxes up to the front, then told him he was the one who didn't know squat, given that I buy ammo at a bunch of different places, and none of them require that they carry it to the front. Wal-Mart makes you buy it in the sporting good department, but then you carry it out with you, and Academy just hands over the boxes and lets you get on with your shopping. Then I told him I decided I didn't want to shop at a store that treats its customers like morons and criminals, so I left him holding my ammo. I hate stupid store policies masquerading as "the law."
 
Chad said:
Gotta love Florida.
Walmart computer cash registers ask the question 'rifle or handgun' as part of the transaction...so the poor clerk has to make a selection.
I've always just told them to pick one...none have ever had a problem with that.
And of course there is never any ID nonsense...I don't look as young as I used to. :rolleyes:
Click to expand...
Wouldn't it be more fun to mess with them on this? Since if you're over 21 it doesn't matter, tell 'em "handgun" for stuff that's clearly rifle ammo, and "rifle" for handgun ammo.
 
NY wal-marts ask to see a copy of your pistol permit if you are purchasing handgun ammo.


I just lie and tell them its for a rifle or carbine.
 
ziadel said:
NY wal-marts ask to see a copy of your pistol permit if you are purchasing handgun ammo.


I just lie and tell them its for a rifle or carbine.
Click to expand...

Back when I still bought ammo at Wal-Mart, and they asked me that question, I answered: "Submachinegun." :D
 
Walmart employees seem to have a habit of claiming that store policy is state law. I've had one try to tell me that not selling ammunition after 10 PM was a state law. I simply ask them to give me the number of the statute when they try this...and to see the manager.
 
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