For the last three months, I've been working behind the gun counter at a large multi-state retailer. Here's my experience so far.
- You'll learn all sorts of conspiracy theories whether you wanted to or not.
- About 10% of the gun buying public doesn't bother with any sort of personal hygiene.
- If your gut tells you not to sell the gun, don't sell the gun.
- Don't push females toward 380ACP just because they are females. If they can handle a sub-compact 380ACP, they can handle a compact 9mm easier. Plus there's more ammo availability with 9mm.
- Have your customers pull the slide back and operate the controls on a semi-auto. You'd be surprised at how many can't or have a very hard time doing so. The S&W Shield EZ is your friend if they still want a semi-auto.
- Don't sell a shotgun to a couple that has just come from lunch and they've told you they had several Margarita's.
- Don't sell a gun to a guy that calls you on the phone and tells you he's been denied so he's sending his wife up to buy it for him. Make sure to get his wife's name to "better serve" the customer. Especially when he pauses for a second then asks you why you need to know his wife's name. Yes, they went on the "Do not sell to" list.
- Don't sell a gun to a guy that has been standing in line for a while and starts screaming and throwing a huge temper tantrum about how stupid it is that he has to wait for everyone else in front of him. AND he's a FFL AND he has security clearances to work in the federal building downtown. He should get to cut to the front of the line. Yeah, that guy can't control his temper, so don't sell a gun to him.
- Don't sell a gun to the guys that come in reeking of pot.
- Don't sell a gun to the guys that reek of alcohol.
- Don't sell a gun to a grandma when she can't even answer what caliber the gun is let alone whether its a handgun, shotgun or rifle. Amazingly her 30 year old grandson standing next to her could answer all those questions.
- The most common error I see customers make on the 4473 is answering the city and state of birth question wrong. The next most common error is their height being different on the 4473 vs what is listed on their ID.
- Yes, I've had felons say they were felons on the 4473.
- I like to ask people if they have two different forms of government issued ID with their picture on it. If they don't have two, its no big deal and I move on with the process. But about 10% of the time someone will show me their medical marijuana card along with their drivers license.....Sorry, I can't sell you a gun.
- Make sure to ask your customers if their current address is on the ID they're using.
- Beware of residents of other states trying to buy a handgun. This happens a lot with snowbirds that are wanting to become first time handgun buyers. They reside in a different state now but they used to live in MI.
- Don't accidentally put a TTSN number in the space where the NICS number is supposed to go on the 4473. Stupid CTRL-C, CTRL-V buffer got me.
- Before you electronically sign the 4473 certifying that the customer has been given a proceed, scroll down the 4473 and make sure didn't accidentally copy/paste the stupid TTSN number in the NICS background check number's spot again!
- After a customer is delayed, don't forget that the customer needs to re-certify their answers on the 4473 when they come back in to pick up the gun.
- You'll get tired of saying things like. "Sorry, we don't have XYZ caliber of ammo." which is quickly followed by "No, I don't know when we are getting any in." which is then quickly followed by "No, we don't have any of XZY ammo stashed behind the counter or in the back room." Pro-tip. If we have it hidden behind the counter its because one of us who works in the store is going to buy it on our lunch break. That's one of the few perks of a rather low paying retail job. If you don't like it, come and work with us so you earn that benefit too.
- Yes you can shoot 22 long rifle out of your 22LR handgun even thought it says "long rifle" on the box.
- 95% of the customers are good people to deal with but you'll run into a least one or two jerks everyday. I just say "OK" and move on to serving someone else when an entitled customer says "They're never shopping here again."
- Don't be afraid to buy a pmag out of your own pocket for a customer that had to wait longer because you messed up his 4473 twice. I was new and it took me a while to get it fixed in our software. See above about putting a TTSN number where the NICS number needs to go.
- The best part of my job is giving treats to the dogs that come into the store!