Gun sales in Wal-Mart's California stores

[alan]

Re Wal-Mart having pulled firearms from their California stores, it isn't a rumor, it's true. Seemingly, their action arose out of problems with "improper" sales in these stores, a result of sales persons , Wal-Mart calls them "associates", mistakes. "Improper training" is the Wal-Mart excuse, this obtained in the course of conversation with people are their corporate headquarters. The toll free number there is 1-800-925-6278. The writer wonders if this move on the part of corporate headquarters might signal the onset of an anti-gun attitude on the part of corporate management.

If this possibility provides displeasure to readers, they might consider dialing the above mentioned toll free number, and making their thoughts known. Callers will have to sit through a few of the ever present recorded messages, but if you hang in there, you will get an "associate" on the line, with whom you can leave a message, for transmission "up the line". Just remember to speak in a courteous, polite manner, as you are speaking with a "worker bee", rather than a "decision maker". No sense picking an argument with a worker bee, when it is their job to take notes, and transmit messages. Give them a message to transmit, make it clear and concise. This is a call that, I submit, needs to be made. Thank you for your attention.

 

[Russ]

That does kind of suck. However, isn't the sales stoppage temporary until they can train the employees and develop better systems so they don't sell to unauthorized persons? I'd hate for this to become permanent. I remember when they used to sell handguns at Wally World.

 

[alan]

Russ:

Re your response, a couple of questions.

1. Why hadn't local store management or corporate management for that matter, made certain that their "associates" were properly "trained" to begin with?
2. Why did they quit selling handguns, in the first place. After all, a licensed business is licensed to sell handguns as well as long guns. We aren't talking about Class 2 stuff here, simply plain, old fashioned, garden variety firearms.

 

[10-Ring]

I have heard nothing about this move being temporary. Would be nice, but I doubt it.

 

[alan]

10-Ring:

How is "temporary" spelled, and who is it that is doing the spelling?

I realize that you do not know, neither do I, however one wonders , among other things, as to exactly why the sales people or "associates" as they are called, weren't "trained" in the first place.

That is one of the questions I asked in a phone call to to 1-800-925-6278. Personally, I think that there need to be a big, large, tremendous number of phone calls made, and or e-mails sent to corporate headquarters of Wal-Mart, asking this, among other questions. Someone in California blew it badly, and someone at Bentonville Arkansas is blowing it again.

 

[Shalako]

I think this was precisely the outcome that Lockyer was hoping for. Create and contrive enough laws that are so confusing and complicated that undoubtedly someone will mess up. It doesn't take a dufus to be confused or slip up on a trigger lock issue when a completely fine trigger lock already comes with the firearm for instance. I think it is a well devised trap to take Wal Mart out of the equation.

The Democrats are getting their money's worth outta this guy.

 

[Art Eatman]

Saw a headline to the effect that the state of California is considering filing criminal charges on WalMart for these evil deeds. Can't blame the corporate execs for being nervous.

Shalako, I buy your argument about the use of overly-complex laws. Helluva note to see the Liberals steal a page from Ayn Rand's "Atlas Shrugged".

Art

 

[Redlg155]

I decided to Email Walmart concerning the ban on selling firearms and this was the response.

My Message to them...
Dear Sirs,

I had read a recent article written by By
JIM WASSERMAN, Associated Press Writer
titled "Wal-Mart Stops Gun Sales in Calif.
Stores".

In this article the writer makes this
statement " The policy announced in July,
which exceeds federal guidelines, came after
Wal-Mart's own research showed that weapons
it sold were being used in crimes. ".

I am writing you to request any information
concerning the "research" conducted by Wal-
Mart and if serial numbers recorded from
sales to undividuals are routinely used to
conduct such research.

Any information would be greatly appreciated.

Thank You,
Kelly Watkins

Response recieved

Thank you for your message.

Dear Customer:

We take our role as a retailer very seriously, and, after conferring with officials from the California Department of Justice last Friday, we agreed to temporarily halt the sale of rifles and shotguns in California due to numerous violations of state laws in the processing of these sales.

The state attorney general's office said their investigations in March had uncovered numerous violations in six stores and asked us to stop sales as we institute corrective actions. We agreed to this.

We immediately began to revamp our training programs Monday, with the assistance of the California Department of Justice, while developing an implementation schedule for this new training. Also, we have begun an internal audit to measure full compliance.

California Department of Justice representatives told us Monday that they were able to view satellite broadcasts of our new training in Wal-Mart stores this week and appreciated this as well as the fact that all guns had been removed from the sales floor immediately. We will continue to work with the state of California for the next few weeks to assure that we have set up and implemented a program that guarantees compliance.

All California Wal-Mart associates who are involved in the sale of rifles and shotguns will be thoroughly trained on all aspects of California regulation in the sales of firearms. We will accomplish this as quickly as possible for our customers and apologize for any inconvenience.


Sincerely,

Customer Relations

For further correspondence regarding this issue, please reply to this email

End of Message

Well...they did respond, although they did not answer the original question that I had asked. Also,no name given other than Customer Relations.

Looks like a generic release statement to me. I'll try writing them again to see if they will answer the original question.

Good Shooting
RED