Weird experience with Buds Gun Shop

[nyrifleman]

I recently had a slightly strange experience with Buds Gun Shop. I've purchased from Buds before, and had a satisfactory experience. Their prices are hard to beat, so they're usually my first stop when looking for something specific. That's why I had no hesitation ordering a bolt-action .22 that I'm going to give to my wife for Christmas.

My FFL dealer called me up Thursday to say it had arrived, and also proceeded to inform me that, apparently, Buds had called him before sending out the package to find out more about me. My FFL dealer told them he'd known me a while, dealt with me several times, that I was local and my parents ran a local business. This was good enough for them and they proceeded to send the gun. However, I am not pleased with the fact that they called at all.

Apparently, what they didn't like was my good Slavic name of "Yuri". Now, I indeed was not born in this country. I was born in Russia. However, I have lived in the United States since I was 5. I went all the way through the immigration process, which involves more different kinds of background checks than you can shake a stick at (and yes, even if you have lived here since you were 5, the government thinks it's neccessary to find out if you committed any crimes abroad prior to moving here...). I'm also a CCW permit holder... in NY State!... Not to mention that I've purchased from Buds before. Not to mention, in the words of my FFL dealer, "it's a bolt-action .22 for God's sake, not really the kind of weapon you'd be looking to turn to crime."

But you know, even that has nothing to do with it. Whether or not I'm allowed to own a gun is none of Bud's business. This is why we have NICS. Unless I'm misreading the situation, if my FFL dealer hadn't answered as affirmatively as he had, Buds might not have sent me the gun. Which is their right, as the vendor, but not really reassuring to me as the customer.

Am I simply overreacting to this? Or do you think it's valid for me to be concerned?

 

[sansone]

It is odd since Bud's is shipping to an FFL holder who is responsible for the transfer. I also think you should not be too upset. The business of selling and shipping guns gets more and more ridiculous every few years. I have caught myself getting suspicious when someone's voice on the phone doesn't sound right. Please excuse us grouchy old gun dealers, we put up with grief from many directions.

 

[Shear_stress]

I'd be pissed. Write Bud's a letter letting them know how you feel about the situation and how it might affect future purchases.

 

[Bubbles]

FFL's have to walk a very fine line. On the one hand they have NICS to (in theory) depend on to tell them if someone off the street is not a prohibited person. OTOH there are people who aren't prohibited persons, who nevertheless I know personally should be, and they're not buying anything out of my shop - and ATF will back up gun dealers on refusing to do a transfer for any reason.

So, we get to Bud's. As one of the highest volume dealers in the country, they're going to get more scrutiny from ATF in their compliance inspections. I'd bet they're also getting "requests" for some added security processes with their sales, and that's probably why your FFL got a phone call.

Do I agree with it? Nope. If ATF "requests" that I change a business process to increase security will I comply? Yup. It's either that or lose the license.

 

[Beaux Nehr]

Oychen strannaya. (think I got that right )

I would definitely get in contact with Bud's gun-shop, and request a formal apology from the company.

Do I agree with it? Nope. If ATF "requests" that I change a business process to increase security will I comply? Yup. It's either that or lose the license.

Do you really think discrimination based on an individual's name has anything to do with "security" or business processes?

 

[ZeroJunk]

Is it possible they were suspicious of your FFL rather than you?

 

[Phydeaux642]

I would say that if they are shipping to an FFL it's none of their concern and shouldn't be. The FFL that receives the gun is the responsible party at that point.

 

[wrs840]

Apparently, what they didn't like was my good Slavic name of "Yuri".

What makes you think that?

Les

 

[orionengnr]

Going out on a limb here, but it wouldn't have anything to do with Bud's trying to protect themselves from Bloomberg's assault on out-of-state Gun Shops, would it? You did say that you are in NY.

Just a guess, and I could be all wrong, but with the number of folks who won't ship to CA buyers at all, and Bloomberg's antics in NY, it's starting to walk like a duck to me...

I'd be more concerned with the machinations by your state (and perhaps soon, our fed.gov, especially since we have a "new" anti-gun head of the BATFE) than I would be with Bud's trying to stay out of the shadow of doubt.

 

[nyrifleman]

Apparently, what they didn't like was my good Slavic name of "Yuri".

What makes you think that?

Les

My FFL dealer. He got the distinct impression that they didn't like the foreign-sounding name. Of course, he could be wrong. In fact, as Shear_stress suggests, I think I will write to Bud's and inquire. Has anybody else purchased from them recently? Could this be some new policy they're implementing?

In response to ZeroJunk, I don't think they were suspicious of him. He's been on file with them for years and he says that's the first time they or anyone else questioned him about a purchase that way.

 

[Jubjub]

Maybe there's someone with an identical or similar name who has been a problem.

 

[Erik M]

I know when I was there in the summer when they had just moved into the new location they had hired some new young (less than knowledgeable) staff to man the counters. The guy that sold me my GP100 had to be walked through how to complete the dealer sections of the 4473, and he was to intimidated to call NICS and had another guy do it for him. If the staff of the shipping dept are in the same boat it might explain the unprofessionalism you describe.

 

[mnrivrat]

An iquiry of that nature had to be spurred by something. It is not a normal occurance , and should not be . I would follow up with your concerns by contacting Bud's and asking why ? More out of couriosity than anything it would be interesting to find out the reason .

 

[Erik M]

I like Buds and plan to do business with them in the future. I have to say IMO the response OP will recieve is that the conversation never took place.

 

[bannockburn]

nyrifleman

I kind of wonder if orionengnr might be on to something with the fact that you live in New York state, and that Buds might be trying to make sure this wasn't some sort straw deal set up by some of Bloomberg's agents. I would defintiely make a call to Buds to see what is going on from their end.

 

[nyrifleman]

I like Buds and plan to do business with them in the future. I have to say IMO the response OP will recieve is that the conversation never took place.

I like Buds as well, and also plan to do business with them in the future, whatever their response to my e-mail is. I can completely understand the kind of pressure that might have led them to this practice -- as has been pointed out, Bloomberg and his gang are ever-vigilant in their war against guns. But I would really appreciate if Buds were up-front about this: "Sorry, the anti-gun lobby is twisting our arms, and there's nothing we can do." That's understandable and only gives us who are pro-RKBA more ammo against the anti-gunners. And I really hope that's the kind of response I get from Buds.

Telling me that no such conversation took place would be the worst thing they could do as far as my trust towards them. Between Buds and my FFL dealer, whom I've known for years and who has no motive to lie to me, I tend to believe the dealer.

 

[krazykeny]

Much ado over nothing..

 

[Apex29]

Well, I can see why bud's would be worried about the purchase. After all, a bolt action 22 is a favorite of people up to no good. Sort of like that twit arnold outlawing 50 cal rifles in the People's Republic of Kalifornistan. Cause we all know how tempting it is for ghetto gangbangers to carry 50 pound $12,000 rifles in their butt hugging saggy pants.

I wouldn't be doing anymore biz w/buds. It's none of their business. It was the biz of the receiving ffl.

 

[medalguy]

Buds is selling to your ffl holder. They have no business dealings with you at all. Whatever concern they may have is misplaced in my opinion. I would also contact them and politely ask why the phone call. In my view, such a call as theirs would raise eyebrows at most ffl holders I know, and maybe make them a little reluctant to do business with you, and there should be no reason on earth for this to happen.

 

[mnrivrat]

Much ado over nothing..

REALY ? Perhaps you should post your name and residence and give us the phone numbers of your neighbors for refernce then .

Sorry , I disagree with you . It may not be Watergate material, but it is not nothing .

 

[rogertc1]

Accually Buds are selling a firearm to me (the buyer) and shipping it to the FFL whom does the transfer to me. I have already purchased the firearm from Buds as I called them and gave my credit card number. I am not charged any state tax.
Now if I buy a firearm from the FFL i nhis shop I am charged sales tax.
Not firmilar with NY laws so it may be different there.
OP your name may be on q Home Security List? Call Buds or the ATF.

 

[Onward Allusion]

Am I simply overreacting to this? Or do you think it's valid for me to be concerned?

It is rather strange to do that for a 22LR bolt action.

The only time it's ever happen to me (where my FFL mentioned to me) was when I bought two Saiga rifles in 7.62x39. The seller was concerned about the buyer - me and asked my FFL a bunch of questions. ...and no, I don't have an Arab, Middle Eastern, or Slavic sounding last name.

I wouldn't be too concerned but if it bothers you then send a letter to the shop because it is a strange thing to do on a 22LR bolt action. If it really bothers you, send the letter to the shop and stop spending your money with them. Buds prices are good, but it isn't worth an uneasy feeling over the 5% you might save over the other guy on the Internet.

 

[docpadds]

Once the firearm is signed out to the other FFL then Buds wont care what happens from there on, liability is at an end.

My guess is that something like this is spurred more from credit card fraud procedures then anything else. WE have had to call and ask questions of people buying scopes etc as there have been thousands of attempted fraud transactions through us and we are much smaller then Buds. We have never had to make a call based on a firearm though, using a fake card for that would be pretty dumb considering how traceable it is

 

[dogtown tom]

I've done transfers from Bud's to customers of Korean, Chinese, Egyptian, Indian, Philippine, Vietnamese and Iranian descent.

Never once has anyone from Bud's called to question their names.

 

[ngnrd]

I don't get it. If you don't like their business practices, return it for a refund and quit doing business with them. Otherwise, you're just whining to hear your own voice.