OT Big Box Store, Trying to Buy a Firearm rant

Tony in SD · Sep 20, 2018

Was looking at a used firearm at a Big Box Store that starts with a C. They have a new policy that all firearms have the action tie-wrapped and a trigger lock installed. I asked the gentlemen in the gun library to remove the tie and lock so I could inspect the bore, check the action movement, etc. They said no, new policy. We give you a key after the purchase and you can take the lock off and cut the tie at home. Nothing they could do. I asked to speak to a manager. The manager also said nothing we can do. I said well then, I can?t buy a used gun without inspecting it and I can?t be the only one with this opinion. The manager said they are keeping track of the walk always. What a way to run a business.

old · Sep 20, 2018

Yes and you can blame it on the gun control people who believe all guns are evil.

ivan in michigan · Sep 20, 2018

One chain here takes a copy of your driver lic before you can handle any gun. I don't shop there and never have as my big toe knows more about guns than there help does

oldtanker · Sep 20, 2018

(quoted from post at 15:45:24 09/20/18) Yes and you can blame it on the gun control people who believe all guns are evil.

Actually that is more of a liability issue thing.

Can you imagine that outcry from the anti gun people if a criminal walked in ask to see the firearm with the lock removed and the action free if he took the firearm and immediately loaded a couple of rounds in it then proceed to rob the place of shoot people?

Can you see a judge and jury finding for the plaintiff and the numbers they would come up with when folks claimed reckless endangerment?

No I would not buy a used gun from a place like that but I can understand them being cautious.

Rick

Adirondack case guy · Sep 20, 2018

You are blaming the wrong people. Start complaining to the people you either voted for, or did not vote for.
WE are NOW all considered as terrorist, if we own, or want to purchase a gun of any kind.
Loren

aFORDable · Sep 20, 2018

These days it all boils down to liability. Too many nut heads out there that might fire away given the chance. Don't hold your breath until that policy changes. That is the age we live in now. Gun control is actually about derangement instead of fire power and we have our share of sickos that will continue to drive that train.

DoubleO7 · Sep 20, 2018

(quoted from post at 20:22:15 09/20/18)

(quoted from post at 15:45:24 09/20/18) Yes and you can blame it on the gun control people who believe all guns are evil.

Click to expand...

Actually that is more of a liability issue thing.

Can you imagine that outcry from the anti gun people if a criminal walked in ask to see the firearm with the lock removed and the action free if he took the firearm and immediately loaded a couple of rounds in it then proceed to rob the place of shoot people?

Can you see a judge and jury finding for the plaintiff and the numbers they would come up with when folks claimed reckless endangerment?

No I would not buy a used gun from a place like that but I can understand them being cautious.

Rick

Gee, maybe that is why TSC wanted my drivers license before they would sell me a sling shot! Yes, a regular $5.99 slingshot.
I told the cashier they can keep then and walked out.
Went to WalFart, no such policy there.

gtractorfan · Sep 20, 2018

Last year I bought a new rifle at the local Rural King. Not surprised about the hoops to jump through but what didn't make sense at least in a way was one of the store employees had to escort me, the rifle and two boxes of ammo out the door. After that you're on your own. What's to keep a customer from turning right around and re-entering the store? There's no way to prevent crazies from doing dumb things.

Kansas4010 · Sep 20, 2018

I fell for that last year. I found a rifle I've been trying to find for a while. Action zip tied up and trigger locked. The finish looked really nice and the tag said it only had a couple boxes of shells through it, also made the year I was born. The dealer swore everything was ok so I took a chance. Minute it was paid for I found out it had serious trigger problems. Naturally they don't accept returns even though I hadn't walked out the door yet. It's at the gunsmiths shop right now.

Will Herring · Sep 20, 2018

It has gotten really ridiculous the past couple of years. The inability to properly inspect and function test something, especially USED, is an absolute deal breaker. I vote with my wallet.

Stephen Newell · Sep 20, 2018

What if a crook went into a store with ammo in their pocket and asked to inspect the bore but loaded it instead. I'm sure this is what is behind the policy.

bumblebee · Sep 20, 2018

If you look in your phone book in the yellow pages you will find plenty of lawyers, in our phone book there are over 30 pages. This explains why some of this stuff is happening. If I got sued over an issue and I won, I still have to pay the attorney in most cases. If a suit is filed against a big box store its not going to be for a couple thousand dollars. If the store is found negligent in how a gun sale is handled and someone is killed--get the message? Its the world we will be living in for some time.

ss55 · Sep 20, 2018

I suspect most large chain stores would be be very happy to drop used gun sales and shift to only new product sales. Gun smith services could be farmed out to local shops. The reasons include less risk from buying used trade-ins, fewer products for employees to learn, easier sales, fewer returns, etc.

jacksun65 · Sep 20, 2018

I would ask, would you buy a car without looking under the hood. or test driving it?

Andy Martin · Sep 20, 2018

(quoted from post at 18:50:25 09/20/18) What if a crook went into a store with ammo in their pocket and asked to inspect the bore but loaded it instead. I'm sure this is what is behind the policy.

When I buy ammunition at WalMart I always tell them it's to go. When they look at me funny I ask whether they'd like me to use it there.

LAA · Sep 21, 2018

Your probably right about the root cause of the policy, a box store would not allow anyone who works there to be armed, the gun shop I do business at has about 15 employees and all are open carrying, it would not work out very well for someone to try and turn their own product on them in that place.

docmirror · Sep 21, 2018

Happens in small places too. I went into a private gun dealer, and range. Was looking at a Walther to buy. I started to take the slide apart, and the manager came over; "WHAT ARE YOU DOING!!!" Duh - I'm taking the action apart to inspect the innards. He grabs the gun away, glares at me like I'm from Mars and walks away shaking his head.

Cya. What a fem hygiene product. Found the same pistol for less money a few weeks later.

Jimmydog · Sep 21, 2018

Lots of comments about what if somebody turns the gun on the sales person etc. There's video on YouTube that shows exactly that. Only it was a pawn shop and the gun was AR-15. Didn't end well for the guy behind the counter. I think it's on Active self protection channel or something like that. Don't check it out if you're squeamish.

JD

Traditional Farmer · Sep 21, 2018

There are dozens (hundreds?) of all sorts of guns advertised in the local buy/sell/trade papers by private individuals whey not just buy from them? I've bought several that way.

BarnyardEngineering · Sep 21, 2018

Frankly, I think it stems from the customer doing something stupid, hurting themselves, hurting someone else, or causing damage to the store more than any other factor.

People do dumb things with guns all the time that did not start out with nefarious intentions. They get their finger caught in the action. They end up shooting themselves in the foot, putting holes in walls/ceilings/floors/vehicles. They end up with black eyes from scopes hitting them in the face, fat lips from the gun kicking up...

Farmall plowboy · Sep 21, 2018

Having purchased many firearms, there's no way I'd purchase a firearm without fully inspecting it and if that's the case with big stores then they don't need my money or the rest of their products.

BarnyardEngineering · Sep 21, 2018

Oh yeah, why are you shopping at a big box store anyway? I thought we were about supporting our local mom and pop shops around here.

SDE · Sep 21, 2018

Have you ever walked around the corner of the gun aisle and been looking at a gun barrel aimed straight at you? I have. Stupid people can not be trusted. PERIOD!!! They did not make a sale. How does that hurt you? Be glad that they are making an attempt to be safe. Personally, I would have asked about their return policy. Take it somewhere and inspect it. Return it and have them tear up the papers, if you didn't not want to keep it.
SDE

rustyfarmall · Sep 21, 2018

For a semi-auto pistol, the dealer needs only to remove the magazine. Virtually impossible to load a round or two without a magazine.

Yes, some semi-autos are capable of firing a round with the magazine removed, but the round needs to be chambered BEFORE the magazine is removed.

Bret4207 · Sep 21, 2018

(quoted from post at 11:39:18 09/21/18)
For a semi-auto pistol, the dealer needs only to remove the magazine. Virtually impossible to load a round or two without a magazine.

Yes, some semi-autos are capable of firing a round with the magazine removed, but the round needs to be chambered BEFORE the magazine is removed.

Umm, no. You can single load the vast majority of SA handguns made before, say, 2000. 2 rounds, no, not w/o a mag obviously. But you can single load a heck of a lot of SA handguns. You might bust the extractor on some, but you can do it.

docmirror · Sep 21, 2018

(quoted from post at 07:39:18 09/21/18)
For a semi-auto pistol, the dealer needs only to remove the magazine. Virtually impossible to load a round or two without a magazine.

Yes, some semi-autos are capable of firing a round with the magazine removed, but the round needs to be chambered BEFORE the magazine is removed.

Negative ghostrider. I'm left handed, but pretty handy either way. I can load a round into any Glock with my right thumb in less than a second. With my left hand on the grip I'm ready to fire a round in maybe 2 seconds. I know, because I've done it. If needed, I can have another round in my right hand and reload fairly quick.

rustyfarmall · Sep 22, 2018

I have tried loading a round without a magazine. Tried it in both my M&P shield and my Ruger SR9. I can't make it work.

Tony in SD · Sep 22, 2018

I did. The manager said no returns on used guns

rustyfarmall · Sep 22, 2018

(quoted from post at 06:54:51 09/22/18) I did. The manager said no returns on used guns

I have purchased 2 different firearms as used. Both turned out to be basically okay, but I also quickly learned just WHY they were traded in.

Not saying I won't ever buy another used gun, but it would have to be considerably lower priced than a new one, or something with historical significance.

OT Big Box Store, Trying to Buy a Firearm rant

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