Denied buying shotgun

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RockyTop

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I went to buy a shotgun yesterday at Walmart, and after filling out half the paperwork the clerk noticed I had my drivers license issued two weeks ago. This isn't a new license, I got it renewed May 20th, because it was going to expire in June. He told me that there was a 30 day wait on buying any firearms after you've had a DL issued. I explained it wasn't a new license, only a renewal. He went and talked to his manager and then told me that the manager informed him it would actually be a 60 day wait!!!

Last night I looked up the Virginia state law and it does say there is a 30 day wait after a new license is issued, but it doesn't affect renewals. So I don't know if these guys are just ignorant or if it is some retarded Walmart policy.

Anyway, has anyone else encountered this?
 
You have to remember that they are in a precarious situation. They know every little possible mistake could carry serious consequences. They seem to just be a little ignorant of the specifics, but you might be able to get them the info they need.
 
If it says renewal on the license than it should not have been a problem. I bought a new pistol the next day after getting my DL renewed this year. :D

Only bought one gun (a 22) from Wally world about four years ago. Decided Wally World was not worth my time after that. Way to much hassle for my taste. It took almost 1 1/2 hours. To top it off the clueless sporting good guy ask me if I was going down to the police station to register it after I left.
 
You have three choices.

1- Be a good customer and wait and try again at the same walmart after waiting time has passed.

2- Bring the specific laws to walmart and talk nicely with the manager. Point out that it does not affect renewals. Preferably with a document from your DMV, Revenuer (Yes we still use that word down south) or motor vehicle license issue office specifically stating that the renewals are not affected.

3- go to another gun shop with your money and you will be fine.


Alot of times Ive run into snags with walmart is from the hourly staff who are either still in high school, early college and have not adequately been given training to execute the rules correctly... or actually gives a tinkers damn about anything other than quitting time and the upcoming parties.

The ones at my wallys pale when I sprout what they recognized as fighting ammuntion, not bird shot in the form of questions as to have any in stock? Then big saucer eyes followed by shake of head, no.
 
They were erring on the side of caution due. PRobably don't want to lose their jobs.

"The boss said no gun until 30 days after a D.L. is issued- huh this one is issued two weeks ago."

"Hey boss..."

"What is the issue date on the D.L.?"

.... etc.
 
Over the years, I've learned time and time again, that when it comes to gun & ammunition laws, the worst sources of information are the idiots behind a Wal-Mart counter.........
 
I might see this post disappear, but I cannot resist taking a shot at the collasping walmart gun world and they might just lose thier job in that department anyhow.
 
Wal-mart is often doesn't have anyone at the counter!

Last time I went there and did the bend-over-squint mannuever to try to spy what they had available. When I realized they didn't have my ammo, I turned around to see a man and woman standing behind me with their cart. I shrugged and walked off; looking over my shoulder, the man then did the same bend-over-squint move and his wife only rolled here eyes. Made me chuckle to myself.
 
Maybe one day, a group of scientists might conduct a study to determine if there is ever a negative correlation between low prices and expert, attentive customer service. Until then, we will never know why these things happen. :(
 
So now we consider the old Physical bend over and touch toes irrevelant and replace with new questions like.

"Have you bent over to squint to read product labels recently?"

I did the exact same thing only to see CCI this and other fuzzys.

One store slapped a half crumpled printout with a bit of tape carelessly about rationing. I think 6 box limit. Hell there aint 6 boxes in the whole dang place.
 
I can't take any complaint about wal-mart seriously.

It's wal-mart. You may as well ask the slow kid down the street to help you with your math homework.
 
Wow, that's a weird law. I never would have expected such from Virginia.

Anyway, if you REALLY, REALLY want to buy the shotgun there, take the written law in with you, and either wait the 30 days or take in your documentation from the DMV showing the original issue date.
 
I get a real kick out of you guys, You bellyache about Walmart being such a horrible place, always out of ammo, stupid sales clerks, etc, then you obviously keep going RIGHT BACK IN! :D

If you dont like the place, why dont you just shop elsewhere?

I love these Walmart threads, always good for a laugh. :neener:
 
what you might try doing is taking in your old license too, just to prove to them you've been a resident for long enough.

They were probably just being cautious and thought they could lose their ffl and jobs.
 
I don't know how Wal Mart's lay-a-way works, but maybe you should do that if you are trying to lock it in at a good price. If they don't require the NICS/4437 until it is transferred to you at the completion of the sale, just put it on lay-a-way and get it once you're past the 30-days.
 
"If it says renewal on the license than it should not have been a problem. I bought a new pistol the next day after getting my DL renewed this year.

Only bought one gun (a 22) from Wally world about four years ago. Decided Wally World was not worth my time after that. Way to much hassle for my taste. It took almost 1 1/2 hours. To top it off the clueless sporting good guy ask me if I was going down to the police station to register it after I left."


Your not kidding! I bought a .22 from them a few years ago and it was a pain in the butt from beginning to end. The clerk acted like he didn't want to sell it. Filling out the paperwork and having 47 people review it, then being walked out with the gun in the box, while I am already packing a J-frame in my front pocket the whole time. After that I said never again. I go to my local gun/pawn shop and I am out of there is less than 10 mins. every time sometimes less.
 
See, specialty shops are still a nitche and in some cases,
a much better choice in today's world.

I'd love to see a come back of the old local butcher shops too.
 
I got a reply from the VA state police today. I just wanted to verify the law because I had never heard of a 60 day wait, and couldn't believe there would even be a 30 day wait for a renewed DL. Anyways, here's their response:

Whoever told you that you had to wait 60 days is in error. A renewed driver’s license is immediately acceptable as a primary form of ID for the purchase of a firearm in the Commonwealth of Virginia . The governing statute is Section 18.2-308.2:2, Code of Virginia.

As for Walmart, the only reason I even went there was to get a run of the mill Mossberg 500. I have checked the local shops, but I haven't seen any in my area that isn't a rip-off. I just don't see buying the same shotgun used at a local shop for more than a new one costs. These are the same shops that have the $20 WWB 100 rds for $41.95, and handguns priced near MRSP.

Usually when I'm in the market for a handgun I'll go to a town about an hour away, or even better, a gun show. Some of the gunshow prices were high, but I found quite a few for much lower than I could get locally and lower than Bud's, Impact Guns, etc. without having to pay for a FFL transfer - but they only come into the area 3-4 times a year.

Anyways, that's for another thread. As for WW, I know they are inexperienced and aren't experts. But I figured they'd at least be competent in selling a shotgun. But I guess that's not the case.

So now, I guess I can take the state police's email and go back to WW (probably not, but I would like to see their response), or go to another WW in the area that is about 15 minutes farther away, or buy a used shotgun and pay more from a local shop, or wait for Dick's to get some in stock (they've been out for over six weeks now), or wait til the gunshow comes into the area in mid-July.

Really though, it's not a real big deal, but I just didn't realize it'd be this much of a hassle.
 
I should hire on as a manager of that particular department and run the place right with everything in stock. Ditch the paint guns and turn it into... smiley mountain. As it were.
 
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