ID required to look at a gun?

[9piferad]

Academy requires it, at least some stores.

I have had this happen to me at a Academy store here in Texas. And they have lost a customer over it. I asked to see a Ruger LC9. This was the first time I had ever been asked to produce a ID to look at any firearm. I gave them my DL and Mil ID, and the gentleman handed them both back and said good enough..... Wait a second, your only 20, I cant hand you any handguns. Well, needless to say, I put down the items that I had planned to purchase, told my buddy I would be waiting outside for him, and haven't been back to an Academy since. A little back story on myself, I am currently only 20, turning 21 here in a few months. I had Just taken my CHL class, and was looking at possibly picking up another carry gun, well, I now know I will not be buying it from Academy. I will spend the extra cost to drive to a LGS, and pay a little more for some way better customer service. It would be nice for these big box sporting goods stores to educate their employees on the laws before sticking them behind the counter. I figure if I can be forced to carry a 9mm around for a year, I should at least be able to look at one, and hold one in my hands. Well, I never was too good at figuring. I can figure out though that Academy dosen't get anymore of my money.
-Andrew

 

[truckemup97]

-Off topic, however I REALLY hate trying to by Sudafed at Walmart. Not only do they scan your driver's license into the computer, they make you sign an electronic statement asserting the product is for your own personal use. Also, a couple local six pack shops now scan your driver's license every time you buy beer and they keep a record of your purchases.

And now Oklahoma is trying to make Sudafed, Claritin D, etc. prescription drugs, which means you have to go to the doctor to get some. Oh, and I have to lie to the electronic machine because I'm usually buying it for my daughter, wife, or mother.

 

[GKC]

I just don't see any reason to get worked up over the attitude of someone working behind the gun counter at Academy or Gander or Walmart.

I wasn't "worked up" but I am old school (and old, too...) and believe that customer service should include a modicum of courtesy extended to the customer. I also don't like to hear "it's the law" cited as a reason when it isn't correct, since we already have far too many challenges with anti-gun elements now. Had he merely said it was a new store policy, and that perhaps the other clerks hadn't asked me because they knew me from previous gun sales, I could have easily (and willingly) accepted that. I also found it quite hard to believe that he couldn't just look at me and tell that I wasn't over 21.

On the other hand, and quite ironically, I don't like it when I am automatically given the senior discount in restaurants without being asked if I qualify...

 

[Practical]

To handle handguns in NY you must show your Pistol Permit.

Long guns do not have such a requirement.

I think years ago in Illinois I was asked for an FOID card, and as a college student I never got one so I never purchased anything.

 

[bushmaster1313]

In NJ the FFL needs to see your Firearms Purchasers Identification Card to show you a long gun.

To see a handgun you have to hand over your first born child.

 

[mkk41]

There have been cases in gun shops , like jewelry stores , where a person asked to see a pistol , clerk hands it to them , and then they ran out the door. There have even been a few smash & grabs too.

 

[the ringo kid]

Not sure about Texas, but Georgia is 18 to look or hold and 21 to buy.

Its the same here and-that kid at Academy is full of Cow Patties. Ive never not once--ever-at any Gun Shop--ever--been asked for an ID to merely look at a gun. That kid needs to bone up on his version of law.

 

[the ringo kid]

I dunno...it's hard to tell these days. You would think that Academy would know the law in that respect, and verify it. Like during the extensive training period they give to their sales personnel....

Academy in my area is very good on gun knowledge and the law. In fact, I just had a nice conversation with the Store Director here today about the ammo situation and such--and not to stray too far off-the ATF is allegedly investigating local gun shops for paying people to stand in line (and still doing so) to buy all the popular rounds and resell for huge profits. Apparently many here are making their frustrations known to the authorities.

Oh and BTW--that Indian ive been yakking about who buys all he can--isnt selling at gun shows (which I was surprised) but online.

 

[the ringo kid]

I've bought several at Academy in TX. The senior salesman knows me by name. No ID necessary. they'll even take the lock off if you ask nicely. At the sale, the salesman carries the gun to the cash register and then to the front door before surrendering it to me.

Same thing here. Oh and, thank you for your service sir.

 

[the ringo kid]

That may have been me. He carried the rifle, I carried the ammo. The ammo was a lot heavier. The manager had to come back to the gun counter to make sure all of the paperwork was correct, so he was the one who took it up front and to the door. The only upside I could see to this was that I paid at the customer service counter and didn't have to wait in line.

As to the OP, I can't imagine that any Texas state legislator would even consider offering such an idea for a vote, much less making it a law.

They wouldnt and also--if someone tried? they would have to face Gregg Abbott

 

[Alpo]

There have been cases in gun shops , like jewelry stores , where a person asked to see a pistol , clerk hands it to them , and then they ran out the door. There have even been a few smash & grabs too.

Things must be different in Pennsylvania. Every gunstore I've been in, down here, EVERY clerk is armed. Someone hands you a gun and you turn and run for the door, there's gonna be people shooting at you.

 

[Pete99004]

Sure am glad I live out here.

Pete

 

[jag312]

He said he knew this to be a fact because his neighbor who is a LEO told him so.QUOTE]

I have had a great deal of experience over the years with law enforcement officers; local, state, and federal. When it comes to laws pertaining to firearms, half of what they think they know is wrong, and they don't know what they should know. I would bet that 90% of the non-LEO people here know more about the laws than the average LEO.

 

[gdnagle]

I guess here in Wv were deprived of all the drama. We can even walk into Wally World and fondle a long gun, and yes of all the ones I bought there they walked them to the door, course I like to put my shirt over my carry piece so everyone in the store can see I'm carrying we are open carry kinda of fun making the manager walk to the front doors then hand it to you while your pakin'. I guess that is Wally Worlds policy as I've had it happen at several.

GM in Winchester, Va will let you fondle long and hand guns without ID or maybe it's because I'm a ol' folk.

Now some of the Wally Worlds are putting trigger locks on them on but they will take them off for you as long as you don't have ammo in your hand.

Not that brings up a interesting story, back in the 70's before trigger locks, guy walks into sporting good department of Ame's at the time asked to see a 12ga, then just like the terminator he shoves several rounds in and robs the store, guess that's where the trigger locks started cause after that all the stores around had them on.

 

[rwsmith]

Was the kid......

Was the kid old enough himself to sell guns??

 

[Wee Hooker]

In Mass, you need to show your License To Carry before you can handle a gun and/or ammo in any shop. That said, you don't need ANY form of ID to vote.

Go figure.

 

[bricker]

Bought some ammo at Wally World the other day and the register gave the clerk a prompt "Is customer 21?" The clerk looked at me as if to ask this question, and just said "never mind." Can't even get carded at Wally World.

 

[w1984s]

I've had the walk to the door at a Walmart and at Dick's about 8-10 years ago here in PA. after a purchase. I believe it was store policy.

A Wal-Mart manager had to put a Ruger 10-22 IN my car before she called it mine.

 

[flat_topp]

I've been refused entry to some GS's in Illinois because of the FOID thing.

About 2 weeks ago I had to show my Illinois FOID card to get in the door of a GS in Plainfield, IL. It is a large store with plenty of merchandise other than firearms and ammo. So it was a bit of a surprise that their apparent store policy is "No FOID card, No entry."

 

[Geno44]

Several posts up, reference was made to someone just running out the door with a stolen gun in a gun store where employees are armed. I had never thought of it but in this case, the guy would get shot in the back which always makes it difficult to prove he was threatening you. When a person comes in a store with a gun and announces a hold-up, employees have a right to assume he may try to kill them and he is facing them and pointing a gun at them. In this case, we know his gun is unloaded because we just handed it to him that way. Many states do not allow lethal force to protect property. Certainly some do.
On the subject of FOID (Firearm Owner's Identification Card) In the people's republic of Illinois, You must apply for a FOID card in order to own firearms or ammunition or to buy them. This involves filling out a form much like a 4473 and sending it in with a modest fee ($10 for 10 years)and waiting for the State Police to process it. This was put in place in about 1968. In more recent years, you have to show your FOID card to hold a gun in a store or at a show whether you buy it or not. The FOID card should replace the waiting period but it does not. Looking at Chicago's murder rate, it obviously isn't solving the gun violence problem either. Most gun owners don't like it but, other than it doesn't solve problems and isn't right, it's not really a huge deal. (And yes, I get that some feel "It's not right" is a huge deal.)