Being only 18 and having a passion for firearms is not really common. There are a few others on this board my age and younger who will probably agree. That said, I wonder if the younger members of this board have had similar bad experiences at gun stores because of their age.
Everytime I go into a gun store I am treated like a gang-banger or criminal. I get quick, snappy replies to simple questions and feel that I am not wanted. Just because I can't buy a pistol does not mean that I can't look at them and ask about them.
I am also frequently lied to. I guess people don't expect me to know so much about firearms at my age (god bless THR ). I remember when my step-dad (who doesnt know much about guns beyond "they go bang", but I'm teaching him) and I were looking to buy a P99 last Christmas. I asked the guy if they had a P99 in and he hands me a SW99. I told him that we would prefer the Walther. He told us that there will be no more Walther P99's and S&W will be making them from now on. Ok buddy, whatever...
Anyway, after getting a real Walther P99 somewhere else, me and my buddy (also 18) went around looking at shotguns. My buddy, against my advice, is dead set on a pistol grip. Half the shops around here were ready to accept his money and half of them gave us the stink eye just for asking about one saying that we have to be 21 because of the pistol grip. Funny, the local Sports Authority has a couple in stock that they had no problems selling to him so I guess shops are either not up on their laws or just didnt want our business because of our age.
Well I guess I should stop here before I sound like a whiner (sorry if I already do). I'm just really sick of gun-shops not giving persons under 21 a second look. It's not only annoying but condescending to be constantly watched like a criminal and to be told "I'm sorry but you must be 21" after repeatedly asking me if I need assistance with anything so I get out of your store! Remember that we are your future business and if you treat us like trash we will be spending our money else-where!
Everytime I go into a gun store I am treated like a gang-banger or criminal. I get quick, snappy replies to simple questions and feel that I am not wanted. Just because I can't buy a pistol does not mean that I can't look at them and ask about them.
I am also frequently lied to. I guess people don't expect me to know so much about firearms at my age (god bless THR ). I remember when my step-dad (who doesnt know much about guns beyond "they go bang", but I'm teaching him) and I were looking to buy a P99 last Christmas. I asked the guy if they had a P99 in and he hands me a SW99. I told him that we would prefer the Walther. He told us that there will be no more Walther P99's and S&W will be making them from now on. Ok buddy, whatever...
Anyway, after getting a real Walther P99 somewhere else, me and my buddy (also 18) went around looking at shotguns. My buddy, against my advice, is dead set on a pistol grip. Half the shops around here were ready to accept his money and half of them gave us the stink eye just for asking about one saying that we have to be 21 because of the pistol grip. Funny, the local Sports Authority has a couple in stock that they had no problems selling to him so I guess shops are either not up on their laws or just didnt want our business because of our age.
Well I guess I should stop here before I sound like a whiner (sorry if I already do). I'm just really sick of gun-shops not giving persons under 21 a second look. It's not only annoying but condescending to be constantly watched like a criminal and to be told "I'm sorry but you must be 21" after repeatedly asking me if I need assistance with anything so I get out of your store! Remember that we are your future business and if you treat us like trash we will be spending our money else-where!