Despite some of the comments made, it is actually a policy of Wal-Mart's. Not all background checks come back in a jiffy. In fact, I always have about a 2-3 day wait when I purchase a firearm, and the reason provided by S.L.E.D. is, because I have such a common first and last name. However, the potential purchaser could have a pending case. He or she may have a discrepancy on their record, etc etc... These special background checks can sometimes take up to 60 days. However, Wal-Mart will only hold a "delayed check" for 72 hours, and then they are forced to put back out on the market. They SHOULD HAVE pulled the weapon from the display to begin with though, so I understand your frustrations.
I walked into Wal-Mart on this past Monday.They had a DPMS AR-15 on display for $617. Now I had just dropped a pretty penny on a Colt M4, but this same rifle (DPMS) was selling at another major retail chain for $749, and online for $900. I'm no two-bit flipper, so I was never debating buying to re-sell, but for $617, I couldn't leave it there.I thought about my buddy. He's one of those guys who can't understand why one would pay $1400 for a Colt, when you can get (2) AR-15's? He is not into the bells and whistles, so I knew he could do me a favor and purchase it, so I didn't have to. LOL. Any who, he comes down to get the rifle, fills out all paper work, and his back ground check comes back "delayed". He is a squeaky clean fellow, and has never been in trouble a day in his life (with the law at least). Clerk says he can't sell it to him, and he doesn't why right now. My buddy said he knew exactly what it was. Last year, someone bought a house, and two cars in his name, 1/2 way across the country. The identity theft is what held him up. He was told if cleared, he would be contacted, but only good for 72 hours, and he could be delayed for weeks, who knows? The clerk then says, the good news is, I can't sell it for 72 hours, so I'M TAKING IT STRAIGHT BACK TO THE RIFLE LOCKER!
Sorry so long winded, but I truly understand your frustrations! I waited and waited to catch Wal-Mart's sweet $447 ticket, but ended up paying $489 at Academy... Since my purchase a few months ago, all I see at Wal-Mart now is a yellow tag that read $447, with a rifle sitting under it.... Just my luck...
I will say it's pretty jacked up that they didn't pull the firearm.