Local gun store won’t sell me ammo unless I purchase a firearm from them?

[nainoa88]

Pls see subject line.

Background: was in a local gun store today (that I greatly respect) with intent to purchase center fire handgun ammunition.

I was informed by clerk that they would not sell me the ammunition I sought unless I purchased a firearm from them.

Is this the current norm given circumstances?

I am choosing to NOT name the vendor as I do not desire to impose a negative impact on someone’s business. Again, I respect this shop. I just want to understand if this is a current “norm”. I pressed the question and was given same answer from the clerk, whom was extremely professional and forthright.

Thanks for your thoughts

[racinjason233]

If your in Idaho I ran into the same thing. The “new normal?” Their business their rules and I completely understand they don’t want to sell anyone a club in the shape of a firearm.

[HKmongoose]

I seen a few shops like this now. Pretty hard to stay open in these times when you have no inventory. So it's a win for them sell a gun an have ammo for that customer.

[nainoa88]

Thanks for your insight - I totally support a win on behalf of local businesses. Bummer (and I’m sure the business I am referring to agrees) that this measure is even in place. I will continue to support them as a customer and chalk this up as another 2020 “metric”.

‘Appreciate the positive and transparent comments.

[9mmContagion]

I have no problem with it.. Oh you bought your gun from Turners to save $30?! Great! Go support them! Come back when you’re ready to support mom n pop shops that still have stock...

Then again, I’ve worked hard to build a good relationship with my LGS

[The War Wagon]

Their store; their rules.

[nainoa88]

Appreciate the comments - I have not had to purchase ammunition in quite some time and was surprised when this exchange occurred. I should have stated that I hope this is a temporary measure and that I’m sure both the store and consumer are unhappy about its reality given current state of affairs. I pretty much only support the mom and pop stores.

Best regards

[P5Ret]

Wait, you found a shop that had both guns and ammo on the shelf? Around here it's either one or the other, and not much of either when you do find it.

[A-J]

With limited inventory I can see this happening. Now Big 5 jumped the shark in that they won't do a FSC test and issue the card unless you buy a gun from them.

[nainoa88]

I said the heck with it and jailed a bug-a-salt 3.0 a turners b/c I knew I could obtain readily available ammo at any grocery or convenience store.
Only 9 more days...

[-hanko]

Originally Posted by nainoa88

I am choosing to NOT name the vendor as I do not desire to impose a negative impact on someone’s business. Again, I respect this shop. I just want to understand if this is a current “norm”. I pressed the question and was given same answer from the clerk, whom was extremely professional and forthright.

Thanks for your thoughts

Without a store name you're just whining. The Calguns motto has always been "their place, their rules".

The vendor is imposing a negative impact on himself and his business.

[lastinline]

Originally Posted by -hanko

The vendor is imposing a negative impact on himself and his business.

The vendor is most likely trying to ensure that all the noobs who have been buying have at least something for their new purchase. That to me seems reasonable.
Anyone who has been into firearms for some time should have been well stocked, long before all this bs happened. I don’t buy ammo now for several reasons: leaving some for the noobs, I have more than enough (I’ve actually given a bunch away), I reload, and it’s none of the ****ing government’s business of what I have.
Piss on them.

[nainoa88]

-Hanko: i appreciate your constructive observation that I’m “whining” - because I refuse to invite potential negative press to an American local business that is likely trying to stay afloat amidst uncertain economic times. Good on you. I’ll continue to stay off the internet with reasonable questions (note I rarely post) and seek answers elsewhere. You should change your name to Kamala.

[nainoa88]

Hanko: disregard my last statement. That was a stupid low blow comment on my behalf. Other things clouding current judgement. We’re all on the same team clearly, and I let petty interpretations cloud my posting. Apologies for the negative comment.

[jeffyhog]

I completely understand a gun shop implementing this policy during this time. How many people go to buy a gun, only to find out they can't find any ammo for it? Seems reasonable that a store would hold on to its limited stock of ammo to sell to a customer that buys a gun from them.

[Garv]

This happened to me during the .22 shortage ~8 years ago.
Went to a shop their first day of business right at opening hoping to snag a few rounds and check the place out.
Picked up some targets, headed to the counter and asked for some .22 that was on the shelf.
They said no, only for gun buyers even though there seemed to be enough to have sold me some as a goodwill gesture for their first customer.

[SonofWWIIDI]

Originally Posted by nainoa88

Pls see subject line.

Background: was in a local gun store today (that I greatly respect) with intent to purchase center fire handgun ammunition.

I was informed by clerk that they would not sell me the ammunition I sought unless I purchased a firearm from them.

Is this the current norm given circumstances?

I am choosing to NOT name the vendor as I do not desire to impose a negative impact on someone’s business. Again, I respect this shop. I just want to understand if this is a current “norm”. I pressed the question and was given same answer from the clerk, whom was extremely professional and forthright.

Thanks for your thoughts

You’re buying ammo. Did you buy any of your guns from this shop you “greatly respect” in the past? If so, talk to the owner/GM and pitch your case of a return customer who wants to keep returning, but is only in the market for ammo right now. Financial circumstances/wife circumstances etc. ( )

[Old Marine]

While it is "their playground, their rules"
It's MY money, so MY Rules!

I would simply take ALL of my business elsewhere.

I buy guns from so many different places, but actually drive past Bass Pro Shop everytime because of the way I was treated when I went there to but a pistol.

All these places with stupid rules should win stupid prizes.

Out of business!

[slamfire1]

Unless they are rationing their ammunition for new firearm purchasers, I don't understand why they are doing this.

Given the irrationality of the last couple of months, this could be one way of ensuring hoarders bugger off, and encouraging new firearm sales. After all, who wants to buy a gun if there is no ammunition available?

[bnacorda]

Faced the same issue up here in the Bay Area. I only found one shop who was willing to sell 9mm ammo though limited. Not range ammo as well so pretty pricey $39.99 for a box of 20 hollow point rounds. (Same price from the LGS who sold me my Glock except I had a choice of range ammo or HD ammo). Another problem was purchasing from private sellers. If you want to do it legally, good luck finding a FFL that will process ammo transfer. And unless you are buying ALOT, the fee just increases the total price of ownership. So yeah, its no longer a matter of pricing but a matter of availability. Just to mix things up for me, I ended up purchasing a Glock 20SF (10mm). It seems those rounds are still somewhat available. Good luck in your search OP!

[kakinuma-kun]

Thank you California for 1) putting in place the roster, which serverely limits what you can buy and therefore the number of times you might buy; and 2) prohibiting ammo purchases by internet. ��

[Lifeisgood]

There should be more available supply after the election

[anthracite]

Originally Posted by Lifeisgood

There should be more available supply after the election

I'd say this statement is highly dependent on who wins, but more so when manufactures are able to work at full capacity.

[ScottsBad]

I think I would do it differently if I were the shop owner, but I think I understand their situation.

[Jimi Jah]

Originally Posted by Lifeisgood

There should be more available supply after the election

Not if Biden wins.

[mcisniper]

As a dealer, I want to keep a box of ammo for every firearm I have on the shelf. So if I have five 9mm pistols on the shelf, I try and have five boxes of ammo. I don't want to sell someone a club. Now any excess is free game.

[keepitlow]

Originally Posted by Jimi Jah

Not if Biden wins.

That's right...these may be the good ole days.

[climber32]

Maybe our OP just needs to be nicer to people?

Supporting your LGS is, almost always the right call.

[tomrkba]

OK, I'll take that Glock 19 and 15,000 rounds of 9x19mm ammo.

[Sherpa1]

Maybe the OP misunderstood the shop. Most stores, Turners and LGS alike are holding ammo for folks that are picking up firearms because of the short supply. I have been in multiple sporting goods with that current policy. Big and small alike. This holds true in AZ, Wy, Ca and Nevada

[BrandonSB13]

It's not uncommon when 9mm or the like runs low. It sucks but at the same time I'd be more bummed if I was buying a new gun and couldnt purchase any ammo for it.