I went to Dick's in West Springfield Ma yesterday to buy some ammo. He asked to see my pistol permit. I showed him and asked him why he wanted to see it.
He said it was the law that if I didn't have a permit to carry I couldn't purchase. I told him it's not the law as I can purchase in other stores without showing my license. He pointed out a little home made sign that read it was illegal to buy any ammo without the permit. He then asked where I could buy without the permit as he would CALL and report them. Nice guy huh?

I went to Dick's in West Springfield Ma yesterday to buy some ammo. He asked to see my pistol permit. I showed him and asked him why he wanted to see it.
He said it was the law that if I didn't have a permit to carry I couldn't purchase. I told him it's not the law as I can purchase in other stores without showing my license. He pointed out a little home made sign that read it was illegal to buy any ammo without the permit. He then asked where I could buy without the permit as he would CALL and report them. Nice guy huh?

a new Dicks is going to open here, I cant wait to not go there

We've got them in our area. I guess I need to check if they pull that sort of crock here too.

They don't pull that **** in GA

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NRA Endowment Member

Im in the Springfield area as well and EVERY store Ive been in to purchase ammo Ive had to show my permit. Where have you gone that you didnt need to... Hm.

Down south of you, in Connecticut, I've never had to show anything except cash or a charge card to purchase ammo. I bought 2 boxes of 40 S&W yesterday. Interestingly enough, I was looking at the Ruger LCP at Hoffman's (Newington) yesterday. When I asked the salesman to see the LCP, he asked to see my permit first. That's a new one to me.

never had that happen to me here in Indiana, at Dick's or anywhere else. what a crock...

And now we all understand the store's name.

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Happiness is a warm 686

In NJ, you cannot look at or touch a firearm of any kind without your firearms ID card laying on the counter in front of you.Ammo needs driver's license and signature. Glad I left that state with Sip.

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Lost in Penn's Woods

Where I live in Georgia if you aren't carrying at least one handgun, have at least one long gun in the pickup with shotgun shells and rifle cartridges rolling around on the floor, and don't have at least two safes full of guns and ammo, they will confiscate your Man Card and publish your picture in the local paper along with the child molesters and DUI's.

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Georgia On My Mind

In Minnesota it's cash and carry IF they have it.

They try this **** at the Dicks here locally. The clerk told me that he needed to see my pistol permit (this was when I owned a 9mm) and I told him it was for a rifle. He asked what kind, and I blurted out a Beretta Storm carbine. I got the ammo. Then I asked him one question, what happens if I just happen to know the name of a rifle and just use that to get pistol ammo, therefore defeating the whole policy in one stroke. He looked like he was about to short circuit coming up with an answer, and then told me he would need to ask a manager. For the heck of it, I wanted to know, and the manager's best response was "Well sir, its company policy." I never did get my answer. Walmart up here does the exact same thing. If some little dweeb behind the counter told me he was going to call the other gun shops and tell them that I could not buy ammo, my response would be that I would slap a slander suit on his butt so fast his employee of the month plaque would fall off the wall.

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Vaya con Dios

You have to have a CCW permit in MA to even *buy* pistol ammo?? I didn't think there were even that many folks that had them there. That's the craziest thing I've ever heard! Maybe it's their subtle way of slowing down sales to keep stock up.

Dick's is a 4th rate sporting goods store for firearms around here, somewhat less impressive than Walmart. They used to have good deals on ammo but have declined even there.

I do have fun with the Wallyworld "is it for a handgun" question. I always answer yes, regardless of the cartridge.

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" I said, good DAY! "

Here in middle Tennessee, if you should be lucky enough to find ammo in Wal-Mart, they pitch it to you, say have a gooden and you can pay for it at the regular check out.

A couple months ago I bought a brick of .22 at WalMart. The lady asked me if it were for pistol and I said for rifle. I had never before been asked this question, so I asked her what would happen if I said "yes" to pistol. She said she didn't know what she would do, just was told to ask. Is this another form of backdoor registration? I have never been asked this in any other store in Oregon, even for obvious pistol ammunition.

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Kevin in Oregon

We have been through this "rifle or handgun" thing numerous times.
For MANY years, the age for long gun ammo has been 18, and 21 for handgun ammo.
If ammo can be used in EITHER a handgun or a rifle, the seller asks the question because he can sell ammo to an 18 year old for a rifle, but he cannot sell the same 18 year old the same ammo for a pistol.
Since there are handguns chambered for 30-06, 45-70, and 375 H&H, almost any metallic cartridge could possibly be for a pistol.
Since long guns are made in pistol calibers, almost any pistol ammo could be for a long gun.

Sure, the right answer can get an 18 year old ammo for a handgun.

Is it that much trouble to provide the ONE-word answer? (pistol or rifle)
What you probably don't notice is the clerk actually has to answer that question on the cash register to proceed once the "ammo" key is hit, or the scanner tells the system it is ammo. If the system has that data, it will also ask for age confirmation. If you are not having to prove your age, it simply means the kid has NO trouble seeing you are over 21.

May I suggest you simply answer the question pleasantly, buy your ammo, and leave? Keep moaning about it, and keep this issue before "all eyes", and we might be filling out a 4473 for every box of ammo.....
The question is required by Federal law IF there is any doubt the buyer might not be 21, and, as I said, expect a large store to ask everyone as a matter of policy.

The clerk at Dick's could have stated an incorrect answer about company policy. Perhaps he had been told to ask for a pistol permit as proof that the buyer is 21. Maybe it is their policy- I have no idea what Massachusetts law regarding ammo is. Actually, if that is the law, and other stores don't obey it, it would be better to suggest to them that they should, rather than see them lose their license.

Why don't one of you in Mass check the law, and let us know?

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Regards,
Lee Jarrett

Some of us are old enough to remember when pistol ammo purchases had to be entered in a log book. I remember the grumpy old man who ran the local hardware store making me fill out a log entry to buy some 32 S&W Long ammo. When I hesitated at the age block he told me to put "21" there. I was probably only 13 or 14 at the time but as I was taught to respect my elders I did as I was told.

But he didn't cover the important part - was his receipt checked on the way out???



It is a policy of that particular store, and WalMart will ask me for my pistol permit if I'm buying a cartridge that isn't shot in carbines (.380 comes immediately to mind).

I don't argue, I just pull out the permit and flash it - it takes ten seconds and I have to open my wallet for money anyways.

Lee, when are you going to learn that common sense just ain't no fun?

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Georgia On My Mind

It is a character flaw.....

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Regards,
Lee Jarrett

There's nothing like Dick's stores. I recall the first one in my area (Raleigh, NC, and there's almost a dozen now). The Fall season was approaching and they had set up a display - "Get ready for pheasant season!!!" Orange game vests, boots, brush pants. Basically, there's NO PHEASANTS in NC. They had stacked ammo up in the display, too. It was mostly 12 ga. rifled slugs.

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Ret'd LEO
SWCA #2275

During our visit to MA last June I had a chance to talk to one of the local Gun Dealers and he clued me into several of their total strange Anti-Gun Laws - let's call them what they are - he was a really nice older gentleman and he was looking forward to moving to a Gun Friendly State when he retires in a couple of Years. I can understand his thoughts!!!

We got a Dick's here not too long ago. I went once and have no plans to ever go back again.
The name pretty much says it all.

Dick's is a pretty good place for outerwear and sports related items I guess. I didn't even realize they sold guns until I was in one just prior to Christmas last year. We were paying for some items and while the clerk was ringing things up, I looked down at the sales papers and assorted stuff on the sales counter.

Face up, and "aimed" so I could easily read, were the names, addresses, and a list of the guns sold that week.

Are you paying attention folks? The names, addresses, and what they bought. Seems the little pink .22lr's were popular from what I saw.

I may still buy windbreakers there, but I've not set foot in their gun department again.

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I hope I copied that right

I went to the Dicks Sporting Goods near me, and there was no pistol ammo in evidence anywhere. They did seem to have, shall we say, an ambivalent relationship with weapons. I do not intend to visit them again, as I though their outdoor gear looked trendy rather than functional.

It always amuses me that those deadly .22LR rounds are behind the counter, but those innocent little shotgun slug rounds, 30-06, 223, 10 Gauge 00 buckshot, whatever, are on pallets in the middle of the aisle. This is at Academy. I imagine if they stocked .50 Browning rounds, those would also be out on the shelves. But .25 ACP would be on the shelves behind the counter.

Nobody has ever asked me what I want to use it for, but I haven't bought ammo at Walmart, and I've had bald spots on top of my head for more than 21 years.

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Regulate Banks, not guns

I was in an NRA Training Class at the Hartford Gun Club last weekend and when I told the Instructor of my experience in Hoffmans, identical to yours, I was told "it is the Law in CT".
B,ut Hoffmans is the only shop in which I have experienced that.

I was at the local Dick's last week for the advertised ammo sale. GONE! They get you in the store, but only have a small number of assorted calibers and it's quickly sold out. As told to me by the store manager. So far, in Ohio all you need is cash or plastic to purchase ammo. I'm done with Dick's...nothing else for me there. Besides, the prices are too high anyway.

At a local wal-mart last week the young clerk told me I had to pay for the ammo back at the sporting goods register, (cause we can't have people walking around the store carring ammo.)
so I paid for it and then walked around the store with ammo. I still can't figure this one out.

Some asshat probably ran out of the door with a gun somewhere in Connecticut. This is a very recent rule change that started this week because I was handling guns at both stores in Newington last week without displaying my permit. Hmmm....you never know.

"Dick's"

Nevermind

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Forum consigliere

Does this signal an end to "Walmart is violating my constitutional rights" threads
I kinda like hearing all the war stories

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Forum consigliere

Never had that happen here, and the clerks I have dealt with in the gun/ammo department have been nice fellows.
Steve

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Steve

This may help:
Massachusetts

Like Illinois, Massachusetts requires gun and ammunition purchasers to display a firearm identification card (referred to as a “FID”) when buying ammunition and prohibits anyone who does not have a card from possessing ammunition (Mass. Gen. L. ch. 140§ 129C). There are two types of FIDs class A cards for large firing capacity guns and their corresponding ammunition purchases, and class B cards for smaller capacity firearms and ammunition. Class A FIDs are available only to applicants over age 21 who may legally buy ammunition under federal law. Class B FIDs are available to applicants over age 18 who may legally buy ammunition under federal law (Mass. Gen. L. ch. 140 § 129B).

Anyone wanting a FOID card must apply to the appropriate licensing authority (generally, the police chief) and submit documentation that he or she received the basic firearms safety certificate required by law. The applicant must submit to fingerprinting and undergo state and national criminal history record checks. Within 40 days from the date of the application, the licensing authority must issue the FOID unless the applicant is prohibited from buying firearms or ammunition (Mass Gen L. ch. 140 § 129B).

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Goal Life Member
Traveling Man

It sounds to me like they have a good name.

About two weeks ago, I purchased a Cricket 22 rifle for my five year old son at Dick's. Throughout the entire transaction, the youg man behind the counter had a wide grin and a far away look in his eye, as if he were looking forward to a day when he could buy his son a first rifle. I sure hope he gets to.

I had the same thing happen to me at a Wal-Mart Store in Alabama one time and I told the clerk the ammo was for neither a handgun or a rifle. I told her I take the bullet out of the cartridge and sprinkle the gun powder on my eggs in the morning for breakfast. Talk about a blank stare. She had to call the manager who didn't say anything but approve the purchase.

Smitty

I recently went to my local Wallyworld to purchase some 9mm pistol ammo. The young lady clerk asked for my FID card. I said I don't have a FID card. She said she couldn't sell me the ammo. I told her I had a pistol permit(which out ranks the FID card). She then called her manger who told her to sell me the ammo. I said that they might want to school their employes on the difference on the cards. She said she normally works in the automotive dept.

An FID card allows one to buy long guns,ammo for same and Mace only.Not a pistol. A pistol permit is required for a pistol purchase.Either large or small capacity.
Incidentaly I had one of the first FID cards issued back in 1968. Stopped using it when I recieved my pistol permit for protection.

tell him next time you'll save him from bothering with the sale and bu it online and save the tax

Of course you realize the clerk won't give a ****.

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NRA Endowment Member

after reading these stories... God I love living in a free state!

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not limited by 30 characters

All this bithcin' about Dicks...I wish we had one. The nearest place to buy anything outdoor related (except for Walmart) is an hour and half away in Springfield, and then it's just one store, Bass Pro. It's a three hour drive to get to KC for Cabelas.

Well, there ya go. Fun, wasn't it?

I'm sure hassling store clerks and managers enhances our image to the public.

Anyone remember WalMart selling handguns? I do. They quit. Too much hassle and liability for the profits involved.
Keep hassling the managers. As that feedback goes upline (Mr Manager, what dept. causes most instore problems?), WalMart might decide the low -margin ammo is not worth the time. Then, you can buy all your ammo at the retail gun shop. Since he doesn't order 8,000,000 rds at a time, I would not expect the same price.

I explained above why the question is asked- Federal law requires it if there is any doubt about the age of the purchaser- 18 or 21. If you look 50, a smaller shop probably won't ask. If a LARGE company, the clerks are trained to ask everyone.

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Regards,
Lee Jarrett

There you go again with that common sense junk.

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Georgia On My Mind

This thread has a lot of entertainment value.

A lot of folks who work for large corporations soon realize. Reason has nothing to do with
company policy!!

jed

Wow, I had no idea. You mean up there in Naziland, you have to have some kind of permit just to look at a gun? Y'all really do need to do something about that ****. I never have been asked the "pistol or rifle" question. I think I'd tell them I just like to stick it in the hole of a yardstick and slap a rock.

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Wayne
Torn & Frayed

We have a Sports Authority here. Before they quit selling guns (year or so back) they had a sign up. To touch a gun (as in hold it in your hands to see how it feels) they had to have your driver's license. You had to be over 18 to touch a shotgun or rifle, and over 21 to touch a pistol. If you lived in one of those states that would not let you buy a gun out of state (and they had a list), it didn't matter how old you were, you could not touch the gun. Stupid store rule.

Oh, and if I were the clerk, and the feller answered my "rifle or pistol" question with "neither a handgun or a rifle. I told her I take the bullet out of the cartridge and sprinkle the gun powder on my eggs in the morning for breakfast", I would have refused the sale on the grounds that he was a lunatic and could not legally buy ammo.

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I always take precautions

Well, there you go, I'm 60 so it was a damn stupid question and if they ask me a stupid question I'm gonna give'em a dumb *** answer.
And futher more I don't gave a hoot in hell about images and as far as Wal-Mart selling ammo it wouldn't bother me one bit if the sorry *** place went out of business.

Smitty

Smitty,
What I'm trying to tell you guys is that when the clerk scans ammo, a screen appears that says

"Verify Age"

or

"Ask Age"
and the clerk HAS to key a number in to proceed to the final total. They don't have a slot for "Over eggs at breakfast".
You are only going to make it tougher in the long run by hassling them.

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Regards,
Lee Jarrett

while I agree the question is stupid, I just answer truthfully as it takes less time than confusing the poor slob behind the counter with witty comments.