Joe,
While out doing my shopping chores today, getting hunting licenses for me and my son was on the list. Being in Fruitland, we stopped in Wal-Mart and waited in line at the sporting goods counter. The young guys in front of me were buying .410 and .44 ammo for a new pistol they had bought that shoots either through the same chambering. We were talking about the gun as the cashier went through the transaction on the touch screen register. After ringing up the 6 or so boxes, he asked the strangest question pointing to each box, “Will this ammo be used for a handgun or long gun?” as they answered for each box, I asked the cashier if his touch screen had an “It’s none of your damned business” button on it.
I am 55 years old, hunted since I was 10, and have NEVER been asked this question! Not for any product. Imagine some products one would buy that would require that question!
Because the cashier had no bird stamps in stock and I wanted to dove hunt this afternoon, I did not buy my license there, but decided to buy it at the north end Wal-Mart close to my house. When I went there, I picked up some dove loads for the 20 gauge, and to test the Wal- Mart software, I added a 100-box of .22’s to the order. Upon being rung up, I got the same question, “handgun or long gun use?” My answer was “That’s an unconstitutional question, and I won’t answer it. I have a right to privacy”. The cashier didn’t know what to do. “But sir, I have to put an answer here or it won’t go through with the transaction.” I said that I might just throw it in the campfire to watch the pretty sparks. When that was not an option, I told the cashier to forget the ammo and just sell me the licenses. Trying to back the ammo out of the transaction was impossible, and in a fit of button pushing, the transaction went through and I got the ammo without answering the question.
Now my curiosity is piqued, so I headed over to Dick’s and asked the store manager about his ammo software. He said first, he had no such question in his transaction software, and if it did come with that, they could change just about anything on there. His employees ask for age identification only from people under 30 or so. Long gun ammo age is 18, handgun ammo is 21. (Maryland)
I found the same setup at Gander Mountain.
When I told the Wal-Mart cashier that I wasn’t trying to be obstinate towards her, that it seemed clearly like an Obama question to me, she said, ”Oh, I know, I’m so frightened at what that man might be doing to our Country.”
I put the question out there; Has anyone ever been asked this question in the past years? I’d like to know.
Gary M Bullard
Salisbury, MD
DelMarVa's Premier Source for News, Opinion, Analysis, and Human Interest Contact Publisher Joe Albero at alberobutzo@wmconnect.com or 410-430-5349
45 comments:
Paranoia much?
MD_Progressive
Paranoid much? If it was an 'Obama' question you would be asked it no matter where you shopped. It is far more likely that WalMart is collecting data. Duh! Maybe they just want to find out which their customers use most to better serve them?
Different age requirement for long gun and handgun ammo is reason for question it appears.
The US Constitution grants citizens the right to keep and bear bear arms. It doesn't say anything about ammo.
MD_Progressive
http://www.thefiringline.com/forums/showthread.php?t=87943
Back in 2001 people were getting asked the same thing. It's not Obama's policy it's Wal-Mart's.
Sounds like a Walmart requirement to me, since the other stores didn't have it. Take it up with Walmart management instead of automatically blaming Obama. If it was his fault then all the stores would ask the question and it wouldn't be optional.
Gary, please do not carry your firearm while off of your medication. Obviously your disdain for the president that the majority of Americans voted for has crossed over into lunacy.
Wow, this area is full of wackos! Does it really matter if the person was trying to help?
What a rednick and your a hunter!First time buying ammo or is this the first time Dove hunting.
Does it really matter if he is going to use the ammo in a handgun or a long rifle? Either one will kill. I've taken full grown deer down with a .22 rifle and used the same ammo to take down groundhogs with a pistol. Both weapons did the job I wanted them to do. His weapon of choice is no one's business, especially Walmarts.
You are right Gary, it is an unconstitutional question and should not be asked. If they want marketing info let them go to the gun mfgs and find out what is being sold most. Screw Walmart.
If it were a federal or in your terms an obama law, it would be required everywhere. Unless you think the government is just singleing out walmart for some reaseon.
Walmart has asked that question for several yrs.... I hadn't given it a second thought
I'm just saying, the software was interrupting a legal transaction for an answer to a privacy question. I had already been through the licensing procedure in this same transaction showing my DL as being 55 yr old, and answered the hunting "pre-1977" question. So my age was known, and the denial of ammo for an unconstitutional question is the issue I take.
So long, Wal- Mart.
GB
Take it up with Maryland law makers.
Does it really matter if he is going to use the ammo in a handgun or a long rifle? Either one will kill. I've taken full grown deer down with a .22 rifle and used the same ammo to take down groundhogs with a pistol. Both weapons did the job I wanted them to do. His weapon of choice is no one's business, especially Walmarts.
You are right Gary, it is an unconstitutional question and should not be asked. If they want marketing info let them go to the gun mfgs and find out what is being sold most. Screw Walmart
I think the software should ask are you 18 or 21 like they do for alcohol or cigaretts
If they wanted marketing info...all they have to do is look at what they sold. Walmart only sells what they can get at bulk {train loads}, not what customers prefer. This is obviously info walmart has volunteered to get. Could this info be collected from them and used against you? Yes. At this time in history, as we are loosing our Rights, one by one, at frightening speeds, everyone should have a flag go up at such questions. Funny how so many comentors claim others are paranoid, but they so quickly defend their dictator when even the slightest question is asked. There soon will come a time when those here screaming "give up your rights",and "how dare you question the one WE have chosen, the time is soon approaching where YOU also will loose your rights. FACT is, you would have no rights today had it not been for millions willing to fight and die for our rights, liberty, freedoms and our Constitution. The day of accountability is fast approaching, be sure you TOO are willing to fight and die for what you believe in.
If God is for us, who can be against us!
@10:51 Walmart has not been asking this for years. After I cast my vote for president, last November, I immediately went to Walmart and stocked up on ammunition and was asked no questions.
Its 410 and 45LC that go in same chamber not 44.
Mr. Bullard, it seems the other store answered the question for you. Their software does not require the Wal-Mart questions for a transaction to go through.
To everyone, this suspicion that everything you deem an affront to your rights, 2nd Amendment or otherwise, is due to Obama is a little, forgive me, off the wall. Saying that facts that someone provides (as the other sporting goods store did) is any "defense of the dictator" is, forgive me, a little nuts.
Where was all your outrage when Bush pushed for the Patriot Act, the most rights-depriving legislation passed in a single bill? Stores began asking me for my phone number after that.
Were they plugged into the CIA? Silly me, that database was for (gasp) their marketing departments.
I'm not Obama's biggest fan, but could everyone get a little real? The assault on our rights began long before he was even thinking about running for President.
Make no mistake, both parties share that blame.
I wish you folks would channel some of this righteous indignation in a direction that would actually do some good.
Heck, start with your own town. I hear you get shut down trying to speak at local government meetings.
If that happened in my town, I'd be raising the roof about my rights.
Good luck to all and get out for some holiday sunshine. We just finished our first round out and about, and we've got a great evening planned after everyone rests up.
these same people have been standing up and fighting for equal rights for years now are ready and willing to give up constitional rights...i just dont get it....do you want to be free or do you want to become enslaved again...this time by the govt.....the less rights you have the less freedom you have.....equals slavery..... wake up!
I think Walmart needs to be out of the ammo business antway. Leave it to the experts.
MD Unprogressive.
Maybe they are considering whether or not to use Chris Rock's "bullet control" plan. He says make the bullets cost something like $5000. Then there would be no accidental shootings and it would cut back on drive by shootings. "I am going to put a cap in your___ just as soon as I save my money and get the $5000 I need for a bullet....."
11:55 Exactly what 'rights' have you lost since Jan. 20th? I dare you to name even one 'right' - you can't. Simple rabid racist fear.
What difference does it make?Long gun vs short gun?Other than the age requirement that is.
Okay, I just counted you all up. there are 16 of you who are willing to roll over belly up to lose your right to privacy, and 5 who would stand up for their constitutional rights. What a freakin' shame. Two answered the question! (thanks). I guess we're heading away from the constitution here?
Gary B
The cashier probably just pushed one of the buttons to get it pushed through....
Gary-
Just buy your ammo elsewhere. We all know Wal-Mart sucks (even though Rain-man said that K-Mart sucks). None of your rights have been violated.
Also, I'm not rolling over for anyone. I won't buy from Radio Shack because they ask for my phone # when I buy batteries. I also refused to let BofA cash a payroll check, because they wanted my freaking thumb-print. What database would that end up in?
FWIW, I'd be more worried about corporations prying into my personal life (and into my wallet) than I would be about the gub'ment.
Seriously though, Bush/Cheney have done more to erode our personal liberties and freedoms than any administration in the history of our country...unfortunately Obama is just continuing many of those policies and practices.
Take care,
MD_Progressive
PS- Maybe you should join the ACLU ;-)
Still waiting to hear what 'rights' we have lost since January. Not surprised that there was no response though.
Anon 9:58,
At Wal mart, you have lost your right to buy ammo without giving up your right to privacy, That has been the subject of the entire post. When you learn to read and understand things, come on back and comment.
9:58-
I wouldn't hold my breath waiting for a response. They've got nothing.
Just a bunch of Rebels Without a Clue.
MD_Progressive
I buy .40 SW rounds from walmart (both) all the time. I have never been asked this question. Just bought ammo last week. It may be cause the rounds .22 and .410 can be used in a pistol or rifle..
FWIW, Its not a big deal to me answer the question. The state already knows what I own.
The rounds I buy at walmart are 12.47 same rounds and count at Gander MTN 29.99
So.... 3:35... Just how did this become about race? Nobody mentioned race except you. Methinks it is you who likes to play the ol' race card.
"You don't agree with his ideas so you must be a racist". That argument is getting a little old don't ya think.
No Conservative I know gives a hoot about weither B.O. is 1/2 black or 1/2 cornchip. The problem is that he is all liberal.
Extreeeemly liberal. I think more liberal than even most liberals are comfortable with.
I agree with you Mr. Bullard. I have been asked that several times from several different stores, Gander Mtn, back in January, and Walmart on a few Occasions. I feel that when they ask those questions, its like being asked what kind of rifle or handgun youve got. Its a annoying because they keep askin' and askin' everytime I need ammo. Its none of their damned business if I have a long gun or handgun. Who ever made the comment bout taking down a full size deer: You are a Damned fool. Its illegal to shoot deer with a .22 or .17 caliber rim fire round. I would understand if it was a larger caliber that would be ok. You must be from the city and do not know how to hunt. Ive been hunting for a while and never would of tried to take down a deer with a .22. Now, if it was .22-250, you could stop a deer. Come on be real. Also, if you want ammo, go to Wink's down in Princess Anne. He's got everything. And he's cheaper than walmart, k-mart, gander, and dicks on ammo!
some people just like to make a stink about everything and hold up everyone else. It's not the cashiers fault! answer the question, lie if you want, AND MOVE ON
9:58
Here is explanation on how Obama's administration, knowing that they cannot take away people's guns, has instead chosen to dry up the people's supply of ammunition. The change in the executive branch's policy is, effectively without a change in law, reducing a given citizen's right to purchase ammunition which is required to make a gun a defensive weapon (or even useful for recreation like hunting or target practice).
So while the "right to bear arms" isn't directly affected, the ability to use the arms that you own is. It's a different, incremental approach to achieving the same outcome of disarming the populace.
http://www.examiner.com/x-4525-Seattle-Gun-Rights-Examiner~y2009m3d16-Obama-administration-supports-2nd-Amendment-but-takes-steps-to-prevent-its-exercise
This country will lose all rights with this president in charge. BE PREPARED AMERICA!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! Buying gun ammo will be the least of our worries.
If you are so concerned you are doing the correctting by no nger shopping there.
Hey academics!
The constitution doesn't grant us our rights. We declared them. We simply wrote some of them down in the Bill of Rights and the Constitution. We all know the Constitution is just a GD piece of paper according to our government.
We have freedom of speech because we have vocal chords. etc.
Think about it.
Our right to defend ourselves is inherint in who we are. We are Americans. We are Kings. Our government serves us - not the other way around.
We don't need a constitution to tell us we have a right to defend ourselves.
Once the government tries to take our guns and ammo (which they are doing) we will declare them to be usurpers of power. We will "throw off such government and establish a new one, better suited to serve the people".
Disarming us only serves to teach us this government is no longer for us, by us, etc
Md-progressive.
you are just another kool-aid drinking idiot willing to give up everything , so the government can take care of your lazy butt. you liberal spinless progressives give me sh__s.
Gary B. I totally agree with you.
still trying to figure what rights I gave up during the Bush years. All I can think of is, I couldn't talk on the phone to my terrorist friends in other countries.
Not legal or responsible to kill deer with a .22. It's also not a privacy issue either. You are buying ammo in a public store, under surveillance cameras, and you are worried about this question? I am an American, NRA member, and hunter. This question doesn't matter. You went to Wal-Mart because you wanted to save some money, so deal with their policies or buy at a different store.
I read, in fact I have a masters degree, what I don't understand is why you think Walmart is responsible for 'protecting' your rights. They are a business and as a business they have a right to try to collect whatever information they can use to improve their business. Your 'right' as a consumer is to avoid giving them your money if you don't like their policies. That has nothing to do with the government or with Obama as implied by the earlier post. An earlier post stated that our rights were being taken away - I am still waiting to hear which rights we are losing. Still waiting to hear which rights we have lost since Jan. I would suggest you get a copy of the Constitution so that you can see the rights clearly delineated then perhaps you could post which of those rights you feel we have lost since January. Naturally I am assuming you are able to read and comprehend the Constitution, which may not be the case.
When a person asks me a question and I think it is none of their business, I just lie.
Try it. It is fun.
Just Lie.
Just say a lie.
Has a good ring to it, don't you think?
Let's start lying all the time. Everything we say should be a lie. Then, we will emulate our government.
The Fruitland Walmart used to have a book under the Ammo counter that they required you to fill our personal info when you purchased ammo. The Walmart in Salisbury and Pocomoke did not. I was told by the manager in Fruitland that the local police asked them to keep a record. It supposedly was done to track ammo from shootings. I would not fill out the book and took my business elsewhere.
Never been asked such a question in my years of buying ammo.
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