Walmart Rant

[DougXD]

Okay....so I was at walmart last night to pick a few boxes of 9mm WWB for my XD9 since I planned on hitting the range this weekend. While I'm BS'ing with the wife while we pay for it, I half-ass notice that the goober behind the counter is writing down my name, address, driver's license number, brand, type, and quantity of ammo.......actually scribbling with a ballpoint pen and paper.

Here's what really pisses me off!!..........I didn't think to put a big huge screeching halt to the whole thing and demand they explain WTF they were doing. I guess I was just wrapped up in conversation at the time.....typical.

Anyway, when I bought a couple rifles in the past from them, I knew they had a federal requirement to log the sale of the gun into "the book." They are using the same book to log what appears to be pistol ammo sales too.

This has "paranoid, CYA, gun control" written all over it. Since when did walmart give a rat's ass about ammo sales as long as you were of proper age?

Anyway, this got me all worked up last night, just sittin' at home, sipping on a coffee, and blood at full-boil. Then I got to thinking.........whenever I buy bulk ammo online from CTD or Cabelas, they keep records of ammo sales (as well as everything else) too. And some online merchants actually require you to fax them a copy of your license before they'll sell to you.

So my real question here is:

Should I take this to the next level and send letters to folks like NRA-ILA, Maryland Licensed Firearms Dealers Association, FTC, Maryland State Attorney Generals Office, etc? I actually thought about taking this up with the store manager, but I would fully expect to be gaffed off relatively quickly.

What ya's think about this? I know there a couple of states that actually require this "logging" of the ammo sales, but at least presently, the People's Repuplic of Maryland does not.

[Ed Ely]

Continued -

Ed

[Ivan A. Makarova]

You say he was scribbling that info on a piece of paper? Are they required to log ammo purchases? If not, you might be getting noted as a person who has 9mm someone might want to relieve you of. Got the name, got the address... I'd check to verify that they need to log ammo purchases to clarify the situation for your peace of mind. If you already know, I apologize for not getting that out of your posting.

I'm careful now that a buddy of mine, who ran an oil change place, ended up having a guy on his crew who noted name/address of people with nice car stereos when they came in for an oil change. This guy's friends would visit the address and get the car stereo sometime after that.

I'm paranoid about my info anymore. I found out that the chatty friendly wife of my transfer FFL guy lets people who work at the same place I do know that I had been in recently to pick something up when they are there getting their stuff. She's just making conversation, and it's probably not hurting anything, but I will pay more for transfers now because I plan to get them done by a more professional outfit.

[Snake-eater 1]

The mail order dealers have to know that they are not selling to under-age people. While certainly not foolproof, requiring a copy of your license is about the best way they have.

But, on the larger scale, do you really believe that government and law enforcement agencies could not, currently, track down who has firearms and ammo? There are so many records available, not the least of which are fed/state forms that must be completed to buy a firearm, the info on file for CCW permits, and the real biggie, credit card sales info, that I believe said agencies could determine the majority of persons who might be considered a "threat" under certain circumstances. While gun registration, and antics such as ammo "registration" at Wal-Mart might make things easier, it's not impossible now.

No, I'm not in favor of any additional type of "registration" or control, because I don't think it does any good and is anti-democratic, but, I also believe it's only a matter of time

[DougXD]

Snake....

All good points and I've actually taken all that into consideration. I guess my real sore spot here is with the "record keeping" itself. If walmart can plug your drivers license info into the register/computer when you buy a long-gun from them, why can't they at least use the same mechanism for the ammo?

Better yet, the sale alone should suffice as a valid record in the system they use........I mean if they input your drivers license number into the cash register/computer, why can't that be the end of it? Why do they have to hand write it into a three ring binder logbook?

Even if the logbook thing were okay, what about the physical controls over the contents within?? I mean, what would stop some loser bunny hugging gun grabbing employee (I know, I'm harsh) from xeroxing a few pages outta the "logbook" and providing them to someone/anyone for whatever reason(s)?

In my mind, it's just a massive breach of privacy rights.

BUT, you're right.......there's so much data out there on us *legal* gun-owners that this all might just be a moot issue. I just don't like the idea of some cheap-ass makeshift handwritten logbook that nobody protects from misuse. It's my understanding that even FFLs have to secure their logbooks. I guess the paradox here is that walmart is also an FFL.

[pdjplano]

must be a local thing, the 3 walmarts here in Plano i've purchased ammo at only ask for ID, and write nothing down at all... over 1,200 rounds purchased this way..

[Snake-eater 1]

I agree, it really does sound like a local issue. I'm not even asked for ANY identification here in central Virginia, but it's been a long time since I've been mistaken for being "underage". I think I'd ask the store manager about it--because yes, the information could be misused.

[oddjob]

Not even California Wal Marts do that (not with my purchases anyway)

[law_n_4_zer]

I am in Missouri and have bought over 5000 rounds from walmart and was only asked for ID on the first shot of 1000 now they know me and all they did was check to make sure I was over 21.

[USMC-PRIDE]

My dad and I went to wally world yesterday and bought a 1000 rnds of 9mm WWB to split. They didn't even ask for ID, they only asked the usual is this for a handgun? Then on the way out they were checking receipts at the door(due to the holiday overload I am sure) and they didn't even look in our bags to confirm that is what we had, just put a yellow checkmark on the receipt and said "have a nice day".

I would defiantely contact the manager and see what was up with the guy writing down your info.