OK, I have a good Sucky Customer story. First, a little background on the laws involved.
Title 18, Chapter 44, Section 922 of the US code:
(b) It shall be unlawful for any licensed importer, licensed manufacturer, licensed dealer, or licensed collector to sell or deliver—
(1) any firearm or ammunition to any individual who the licensee knows or has reasonable cause to believe is less than eighteen years of age, and, if the firearm, or ammunition is other than a shotgun or rifle, or ammunition for a shotgun or rifle, to any individual who the licensee knows or has reasonable cause to believe is less than twenty-one years of age;
OK, sounds simple, but here is where it gets grey. Note the use of the work “for a shotgun or rifle” in the above wording of the law. That IS how it is worded. Most all handgun ammo has a rifle that is chambered for it and there are some handguns that are chambered for rifle ammo. I myself own many such rifles, two in 9mm (A handgun round), one in 30 Carbine (A rifle round that has been chambered in handguns.), and three 22 LR rimfire rifles and three 22LR handguns.(There are as many rifles are there are handguns in this caliber.)
If you are over 18, but under 21 and tell me that the ammo is for a rifle, I can sell it to you. I have no way of knowing if you are going to use it in a rifle or handgun. As long as I do not “know or have reasonable cause to believe” that they are going to use this ammunition in a handgun, everything is OK.
It is not illegal for someone who is under 21 (In most places)to possess “handgun” ammo and not illegal (In most places) to possess a handgun if you are under 21, but over 18. (You can’t buy one though until you are 21.)
There is a rifle chambered in virtually every handgun caliber. Every handgun caliber, from the .380 Auto to the massive 500 S&W, has a rifle that chambered it at one point in time. About the only two calibers that I could question would be the 32 Auto, the 25 Auto, plus a few obsolete calibers. (Like the 8mm Nambu, 7.62x38R, 30 Mauser, etc.)
OK, so everyone with any brains who wants ammo that is over 18, but is under 21 is going to tell me that the ammo they want to buy is for a rifle. I don’t know if they are going to use it a rifle or handgun, as long as they tell me it is for a rifle and they don’t give me reason to question their answer, I have followed the law.
I sometimes make small talk with customers of all ages and find that yes they are using it in a rifle. The most popular being the Hi-Point 995 Carbine (I own one, great gun), a few Kel-Tec SUB-2000’s, some AR-15’s with 9mm upper receivers, and one guy who owns a M-11 sub-machinegun. (He buys ammo by the case, need to get his phone number and try to get some trigger time on that M-11.
) The under-21 people who borrow handguns for plinking generally get the ammo from that person as well. (I did that when I wasn’t 21, borrowed a co-workers 9mm to go plinking.)
If they are stupid and tell me it is for a handgun when they aren’t 21, not even the hot hammers of hell can get me to sell you the ammo. No you can’t recant and tell me it is for a rifle. You have already told me that you are going to use it in a handgun, you don’t get a “do over”. You have already told me and I now “know or have reasonable cause to believe” that the ammo you are buying is for a handgun, thus you need to be 21.
The same applies when buying guns, don’t joke about robbing the local gas station, because I can and will stop the sale and it is illegal for a manager to override me. You don’t joke about bombs in your luggage at the airport, same applies here. (Minus the cavity search) On another note: If you have stupid friends, leave them at home. If they say anything stupid while they are with you, your sale might be denied. (Yes I have seen it happen.)
OK, now that we have "Buying ammo 101: What to tell the clerk." down, enter our sucky customer. He comes up to the counter and asks for a 100 round bulk pack of 9mm Luger ammunition. I grab a pack of the ammo and ask to see ID. He gets out his ID and I see he was born in 1988. OK, over 18 but under 21, time for round two. Answer correctly and you get the ammo, answer incorrectly and you leave empty handed.
My thoughts are in parentheses, other notes in (* *)
Me: (*Standard Spiel*) For rifle or handgun.
SC: Handgun.
Me: (*Do not pass GO. Do not collect $200. I put the ammo back in case.*) Sorry, I can’t sell it to you, you’re under 21.
SC: Why not?
Me: You have to be 21 to buy handgun ammunition.
SC: What if I was buying it for a rifle?
Me: Then I could sell it to you.
SC: Well then I’m buying it for a rifle.
Me: (Sorry dumbass, it doesn’t work that way.) You already told me it is for a handgun, I can’t sell it to you.
SC: Come on, I’m going to guard training and I need it.
Me: (Don’t they supply you ammo at guard training? Doesn’t matter, you aren’t getting it either way.) Sorry, I can’t legally sell it to you if I know or have reason to believe you are going to use it in a handgun.
SC: Come on, I’m out there defending your freedom. (*Yes he actually said this.*)
Me: (So were the guards at Abu Ghraib.) (*Yes that thought was in poor taste but this guy was really irritating me.*) That doesn’t change things, I can’t sell it to you.
SC: (*Walking away*) Dammit, I can’t believe you are doing this to me you F***ing ***wipe. (YES, I finally got a customer to curse at me.
)
Me: (*Yelling back at him.*)I’m not the one that makes the rules ya know. Take it up with the Federal Government if you don’t like it.
The best part was that my department manager was at the other side of the counter, after he left he said, “Geese, I’m not gona sell you (*Referring to the SC.*) anything with that attitude either.”
Yet another example of people getting mad at the clerks who are simply following the rules. I’m not about to get on the BATF’s bad side because of a $15 ammo sale. It’s not me being an ass, it’s me knowing and following federal law and you not knowing the law and getting mad when I follow it.
/Wow, I write alot.
"But I'm in the National Guard, Federal law shouldn't apply to me."
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