So I decide to get my oldest son a shotgun for his birthday. Settle on a Remington 870 Express Youth. Go to Gander Mountain to purchase it. They have the model I want, price is right, checkbook in hand, I'm ready to go. Clerk wants to ring up the sale before filling out the 4473. Seems odd but OK. He hands me the 4473 and starts ringing up the sale. Meanwhile, I fill out the 4473 and hand it back to him. Now the fun begins...first, he says "U.S.A" isn't correct, I need to spell out "United States of America". OK. Scribble it out, initial it, and write it out. Then I abbreviated "North" in my address, with "N." Ok. Scribble it out, initial it, and write it out. In the clear? Nope. Next I abbreviated the state in my address. Ok. Scribble it out, initial it, and write it out. He goes away to get the approval. In the clear? Nope, he comes back to me. I abbreviated my state of birth. At this point I gotta say something. I say that I've filled out at least a dozen 4473's and never had these problems. Response is the standard "store policy" and "rules and regulations" blah, blah, blah. Finally, all is well and he goes to get the approval. Think I'm in the clear yet?? Nope, as I'm walking away he forgot to get my phone number. Ok. Guess where he writes it? In the blank space along the top of the form!! :banghead: After all the concern about precision on the rest of the form there isn't even a space for a phone number!! Reminds me of the old MASH line: "Oh just use the standard S-1798 and write in 'pizza' where it says 'machine gun'".
I'm not picking on the poor old sales guy. I understand the JBT ( I mean BATF) could probably hassle them for abbreviating "U.S.A." but this seems like a bit much.
I guess I should just be happy that I have the "privilege" of purchasing a firearm at all. God forbid I should even try and purchase one of those evil black rifles.
- Abe
I'm not picking on the poor old sales guy. I understand the JBT ( I mean BATF) could probably hassle them for abbreviating "U.S.A." but this seems like a bit much.
I guess I should just be happy that I have the "privilege" of purchasing a firearm at all. God forbid I should even try and purchase one of those evil black rifles.
- Abe