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I had to open another topic as my other one has been steered into experience with Academy

Went to Academy today trying to buy a firearm. I casually asked the clerk if they store all my information including Form 4473 in their computer system. He said "absolutely. Every bit of it gets input into the computer system."

That statement promptly scared me away. I have been Academy's customer but I am not comfortable that a big store keeps my personal information such as home address, birthday, etc. etc.

I'd rather not buy the gun or pay a little extra.

I think the clerk doesn't know what he is talking about, at least in the sense of copying the 4473 data into the computer. I can't see any company collecting that data that way. It is simply not cost effective or really useful.

On the other hand, if you ever use a credit or debit card, the store has a fairly complete and detailed list of what you like, down to the size you wear. The product codes can easily be tied to the credit card data when the charge is rung up. And since both the charge and the items purchased are already in the computer anyway, this now becomes a very cost effective system for tracking things and targeting your likes and dislikes.

As an aside to see what is available to you, go to http://www.spokeo.com" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false; and search for your own name. You will be surprised at what is available on the net already. I have not paid for their services to see my full record, but it may be scary for those who are not aware of data mining and what it can do.

srothstein wrote:I think the clerk doesn't know what he is talking about, at least in the sense of copying the 4473 data into the computer. I can't see any company collecting that data that way. It is simply not cost effective or really useful.

On the other hand, if you ever use a credit or debit card, the store has a fairly complete and detailed list of what you like, down to the size you wear. The product codes can easily be tied to the credit card data when the charge is rung up. And since both the charge and the items purchased are already in the computer anyway, this now becomes a very cost effective system for tracking things and targeting your likes and dislikes.

As an aside to see what is available to you, go to http://www.spokeo.com" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false; and search for your own name. You will be surprised at what is available on the net already. I have not paid for their services to see my full record, but it may be scary for those who are not aware of data mining and what it can do.

I was aware of that, and I planned to pay cash.

This came up in the "Buying At Academy" thread down further and someone who used to work at Academy said they did not do this.
I would not see way they would either.Most gun shops just file them away in file storage box's.

texjames wrote:This came up in the "Buying At Academy" thread down further and someone who used to work at Academy said they did not do this.
I would not see way they would either.Most gun shops just file them away in file storage box's.

I know. I started that thread.

The guy at the store said they collected all that information.

Stupid wrote:

texjames wrote:This came up in the "Buying At Academy" thread down further and someone who used to work at Academy said they did not do this.
I would not see way they would either.Most gun shops just file them away in file storage box's.

I know. I started that thread.

The guy at the store said they collected all that information.

I'm sure he was mistaken...

Lets just say that they do. Is it legal?

It is not legal for them to use the information from the 4473 for any purpose other than the sale. The 4473 is supposed to be treated like a tax document. Any additional documents you fill out or sign have no such protection and are subject to their whims.

Stupid wrote:

texjames wrote:This came up in the "Buying At Academy" thread down further and someone who used to work at Academy said they did not do this.
I would not see way they would either.Most gun shops just file them away in file storage box's.

I know. I started that thread.

The guy at the store said they collected all that information.

Why start another thread? Sounds like ya got it in for Academy or something....

srothstein wrote:As an aside to see what is available to you, go to http://www.spokeo.com" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false; and search for your own name. You will be surprised at what is available on the net already. I have not paid for their services to see my full record, but it may be scary for those who are not aware of data mining and what it can do.

Interesting... at least they haven't found my new address yet

http://www.spokeo.com" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;

If what they have on me is any indication, no reason to worry.

90% is just flat out wrong!

On topic: I have also been told that Academy enters the 4473 info into their computer system.

Stupid wrote: I'd rather not buy the gun or pay a little extra.

Then don't.

srothstein wrote: As an aside to see what is available to you, go to http://www.spokeo.com" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false; and search for your own name. You will be surprised at what is available on the net already. I have not paid for their services to see my full record, but it may be scary for those who are not aware of data mining and what it can do.

I don't wear a tin-foil hat, but I guess I've managed to stay off of whatever radar spokeo.com is using.

I don't appear in any of the addresses I've been the last 10 years. I have a savings account, a checking account and a credit card at separate institutions and have a car loan in my name. Cell phone, electricity, water bills. Also have insurance (car, renter's, medical, dental, vision), 401k, etc. Member/convenience cards at every major grocery store.

I've purchased firearms from many dealers and once, picked up a Marlin .30-30 from Academy.

I'm sure my info is out there if someone really wanted to dig for it, but I'm not going to worry about a single firearms purchase from Academy. And if that is something you're worried about...just don't buy from them. Plain and simple.

Stupid wrote:I had to open another topic as my other one has been steered into experience with Academy

Went to Academy today trying to buy a firearm. I casually asked the clerk if they store all my information including Form 4473 in their computer system. He said "absolutely. Every bit of it gets input into the computer system."

That statement promptly scared me away. I have been Academy's customer but I am not comfortable that a big store keeps my personal information such as home address, birthday, etc. etc.

I'd rather not buy the gun or pay a little extra.

I happened to stop by Academy at lunch today. They do indeed put the 4473 information in their computer system as someone was purchasing a gun while I was looking and I personally witnessed the salesclerk entering information off the form into the computer before they walked the guy out with his gun.

VMI77 wrote:

Stupid wrote:I had to open another topic as my other one has been steered into experience with Academy

Went to Academy today trying to buy a firearm. I casually asked the clerk if they store all my information including Form 4473 in their computer system. He said "absolutely. Every bit of it gets input into the computer system."

That statement promptly scared me away. I have been Academy's customer but I am not comfortable that a big store keeps my personal information such as home address, birthday, etc. etc.

I'd rather not buy the gun or pay a little extra.

I happened to stop by Academy at lunch today. They do indeed put the 4473 information in their computer system as someone was purchasing a gun while I was looking and I personally witnessed the salesclerk entering information off the form into the computer before they walked the guy out with his gun.

Isn't that blatantly illegal?

Purplehood wrote:

VMI77 wrote:

Stupid wrote:I had to open another topic as my other one has been steered into experience with Academy

Went to Academy today trying to buy a firearm. I casually asked the clerk if they store all my information including Form 4473 in their computer system. He said "absolutely. Every bit of it gets input into the computer system."

That statement promptly scared me away. I have been Academy's customer but I am not comfortable that a big store keeps my personal information such as home address, birthday, etc. etc.

I'd rather not buy the gun or pay a little extra.

I happened to stop by Academy at lunch today. They do indeed put the 4473 information in their computer system as someone was purchasing a gun while I was looking and I personally witnessed the salesclerk entering information off the form into the computer before they walked the guy out with his gun.

Isn't that blatantly illegal?

I have no idea what the law is in that regard. I was looking at handguns....saw a guy purchase a rifle....the salesclerk took the form to the computer and starting entering information off the form. I don't know what all was entered but he spent maybe five minutes, or a little less, doing it. Then he put the form away and handed the gun to another clerk who walked the purchaser out of the store.