BAD gun buying experience

[pbwalker]

I don't know why everyone is hating on Academy. You sign a document saying that you understand their return policy and you fill out a 4473. You cannot abbreviate on the 4473. That's not an Academy rule, it's a BATFE rule. They even tell you before you fill it out..."No abbreviations, spell everything out."
Two documents...hardly an inconvenience.

I'm in and out of Academy in 30 minutes or less anytime I buy a firearm (That's walk in to walk out), so I'm not sure what caused you to have a 2 hour process.

They check the serials to make sure they match up. I'm sure if you pushed that much volume, you'd do the same.

Like it's been said, you may just be better off going to a gun shop. I, personally, enjoy Academy and will make it my first stop when gun shopping. Between shipping and FFL fees, buying online is sometimes not the best option. Academy generally has a better price, and I'll sign one more piece of paper to save $$.

[Abraham]

The last two guns I bought were from Marburgers in Seabrook.

Both purchases were very pleasant, efficient experiences.

No muss - No fuss!

Plus, their prices rival the big box stores.

They sell boots too.

[bobbb]

I agree with pbwalker...took about 25 minutes to purchase my SigPro 2022 at Academy in Pasadena last Saturday afternoon and at $487 out the door I was very satisfied.

[juggernaut]

Use the plastic case the gun came in as your purse. Go back and lay the case on the counter while looking at other guns. If they ask to look in your case, tell them not without a search warrant.

Go ahead Ron. Then post the video on youtube with a link here.

[Crossfire]

It's store policy and your treatment had nothing to do with whether or not you possesed a valid TxCHL.

I just wouldn't shop there - seen a similar thread recently.

I wouldn't mind it if they had a sign up saying our store policy is to have you stand here for 2 hrs while we piddle around. I would then have known not to buy anything there. I didn't mind the security walk just thought it was a little stupid. I forgot to mention that the walker out guy asked me why was I buying a gun. All I said was, this isn't my first one.

I don't know, and I could be dead wrong, but I kinda think maybe they thought there was something fishy going on there. A woman walks in, with a man, and SHE buys the gun, AND she has a CHL so no NICS check needed. Everyone knows women don't buy guns!

So, they probably thought they had a straw purchase going on and wanted to stall you for as long as possible, and then document everything twice.

[LJM]

I have not purchased a gun at Academy but I bought 9mm ammunition a while back. I ask for 10 boxes, He says he can only sell me 5 but can sell my wife 5 also and hands me 10 boxs. Carry out myself and set on counter pay for all 10 boxes and done. no problem? I think it has more to do with the salesman than the store.

side note and shameless plug for great service. Purchased a gun from Champion firearms in college station while on vacation. Super people quick service in and out in just a few minutes. wish I had more time to look around.

[seniorshooteress]

Went to T's today to pick up the coyote I had purchased thru gunbrokers and he had a taurus TCP (pink) cheaper than the one I had looked at yesterday @ "the bad place". So lower prices aren't always true for Big Box Stores as they are called. I told Roy when I walked in that I had been unfaithful but it will never happen again. I got my coyote and also bought the TCP (cause it was pink) and to make up for my indiscreation of purchasing at another place. Also picked up my usual 4 boxes of .380. Even with polite conversation etc. I wasn't in there 2 hours although it would have been a more pleasant 2 hrs that what I had spent yesterday at the big box store. Nope not worth my time to mess with all that hoopla. I'll just continue to use my local gun store no matter what the price. I am a fast learner. But to those who want to shop there, go for it. Not saying that everyone should stop shopping there for their guns, just saying I WON'T. Peace.

[seniorshooteress]

It's store policy and your treatment had nothing to do with whether or not you possesed a valid TxCHL.

I just wouldn't shop there - seen a similar thread recently.

I wouldn't mind it if they had a sign up saying our store policy is to have you stand here for 2 hrs while we piddle around. I would then have known not to buy anything there. I didn't mind the security walk just thought it was a little stupid. I forgot to mention that the walker out guy asked me why was I buying a gun. All I said was, this isn't my first one.

I don't know, and I could be dead wrong, but I kinda think maybe they thought there was something fishy going on there. A woman walks in, with a man, and SHE buys the gun, AND she has a CHL so no NICS check needed. Everyone knows women don't buy guns!

So, they probably thought they had a straw purchase going on and wanted to stall you for as long as possible, and then document everything twice.

Now I feel even worse. Sexual discrimination/profiling.

[JNMAR]

So, they probably thought they had a straw purchase going on and wanted to stall you for as long as possible, and then document everything twice.

Crossfire, I'm thinking your answer was mostly tongue in cheek, but just for informational purposes... When we fill out that blasted form there's a question asking if you're purchasing for yourself, correct? Unless you stupidly tell the salesman that you're buying for someone else is it really any of their concern as long as you answer the question correctly? ... Just asking

[Jim Lockey]

I was going to buy my LCR from Academy. My son in law told me to wait and get one at the Dallas gun show. I did and saved $200 dollars. The Academy is high on everything.

[Oldgringo]

So, they probably thought they had a straw purchase going on and wanted to stall you for as long as possible, and then document everything twice.

Crossfire, I'm thinking your answer was mostly tongue in cheek, but just for informational purposes... When we fill out that blasted form there's a question asking if you're purchasing for yourself, correct? Unless you stupidly tell the salesman that you're buying for someone else is it really any of their concern as long as you answer the question correctly? ... Just asking

That "blasted form" is a U.S. government requirement. It is not a store form. You're right, the salesperson's concerns end when the government form is filled out correctly; i.e, all of the i's are dotted and the t's are crossed and the phone call confirms you.

We should all be be thankful that we live in a state in a country that allows us to purchase handguns.

BTW, are you a member of the NRA?

[seniorshooteress]

Oldgringo: you are right. Guess we take a few too many things for granted living in the good ole US of A and in Texas. That government form didn't used to exist though waaaay back in the 60's and before you could just buy a gun without all the paperwork. Mail order even. I have one of my Dad's old guns and he didn't have to do all that paperwork just send in the money or do it C.O.D. The End. But it does say in our constitution " have the right to bear arms." Seems like the buying of a gun should be the easy part and the buying of ammo for them to be the hard part. Anyone can buy ammo. Seems like a better solution would be to do the background check on ammo purchases and the load your own products not on the gun itself. Just a thought.

[Oldgringo]

Oldgringo: you are right. Guess we take a few too many things for granted living in the good ole US of A and in Texas. That government form didn't used to exist though waaaay back in the 60's and before you could just buy a gun without all the paperwork. Mail order even. I have one of my Dad's old guns and he didn't have to do all that paperwork just send in the money or do it C.O.D. The End. But it does say in our constitution " have the right to bear arms." Seems like the buying of a gun should be the easy part and the buying of ammo for them to be the hard part. Anyone can buy ammo. Seems like a better solution would be to do the background check on ammo purchases and the load your own products not on the gun itself. Just a thought.

There are a lot of things that didn't exist back in the 60's; e.g:

2-3 car families w/ garages on big houses the can't afford
HS kids with cars and no jobs
personal computers
cell phones
digital stuff
2 bathroom houses
voluntary military service
men on the moon
integrated schools, neighborhoods and facilities
pregnant girls in Jr. and Sr. HS
Wal-Mart
Working Moms
Mega churches
and the list goes on and on and on.

Are we better now? I just dunno...

[sjfcontrol]

Oldgringo: you are right. Guess we take a few too many things for granted living in the good ole US of A and in Texas. That government form didn't used to exist though waaaay back in the 60's and before you could just buy a gun without all the paperwork. Mail order even. I have one of my Dad's old guns and he didn't have to do all that paperwork just send in the money or do it C.O.D. The End. But it does say in our constitution " have the right to bear arms." Seems like the buying of a gun should be the easy part and the buying of ammo for them to be the hard part. Anyone can buy ammo. Seems like a better solution would be to do the background check on ammo purchases and the load your own products not on the gun itself. Just a thought.

Well I hope not-- I buy a LOT more ammo than guns!

[Crossfire]

So, they probably thought they had a straw purchase going on and wanted to stall you for as long as possible, and then document everything twice.

Crossfire, I'm thinking your answer was mostly tongue in cheek, but just for informational purposes... When we fill out that blasted form there's a question asking if you're purchasing for yourself, correct? Unless you stupidly tell the salesman that you're buying for someone else is it really any of their concern as long as you answer the question correctly? ... Just asking

Somewhat tongue in cheek, but, if a seller has any reason to believe the purchaser has lied on the form, and the purchase may not be legit, they have a duty to refuse the sale.

Say, a couple come in to purchase a gun. The man is obviously the one doing the shopping, as in, he is asking the questions, he is handling the guns, etc, and he says to the woman, "go buy that one", and then he walks away, the seller would be suspicious. Now, it could be a couple where the lady is buying her first handgun and just wanted his advice. Or, it could be that he is a convicted felon and he is forcing her to make the purchase for him.

The seller has a responsibility to not allow a straw purchase. Sometimes it is obvious, sometimes it is more subtle. Either way, it is more common for women to be scrutinized because they are not "typical" gun buyers. Now, don't get me wrong here. I do not think for EVEN a second that seniorshooteress was doing anything wrong, or even suspicious. I am just offering a possible scenario. And when they ask, "why are you buying this gun?", that is one of the tactics they use to try to determine if the purchase is valid.