ammo background check experiences

[Frasier19]

I don’t really need any more ammo at this point but decided to see for myself how the new process for purchasing ammo in CA works. I went to the new Turners in Rocklin (near Sacramento) to purchase two boxes of 9mm. I used my CADL that is the old version as mine has not come up for renewal yet. They asked for race and where I was born (city and state). It takes a several minutes for them to enter the information and then about a minute and a half to come back with approval. They did say if you have a COE that the approval is almost instant (not the sole reason I would get a COE). Two copies of what looks like a DROS report, although not of the detail for a firearm, and another form are printed out and the two DROS type forms need to be signed (no fingerprint). Not sure if you could request a copy of the mini DROS form but I did not. After paying for the ammo they required it to put it in a sealed bag before I walked out which their version is a plastic bag with the top tied in a knot. Just my experience and don’t think I will be buying for quite some time.

[Rakso]

Where was this so I avoid that place. I thought #1 hasn't passed. And #2 is not required.

Sent from my Pixel 3 XL using Tapatalk

True that 100%

[ItsMarkMan]

Hey guys, I've been on CalGuns for a couple years as a lurker and I figured this is an appropriate time to make my first post. This is what I experienced today when I went to but some 22LR at Turner's today. For those of you that are to lazy to read, there's a TLDR at the bottom of the post with a short synopsis of my experience.

Here's a little background info, my first firearm purchase was in 2012 and it was a stripped AR lower. I thought this was gonna be an issue because from my understanding the CFARs/AFS started on long guns in 2014. I figured hey I'll just buy a handgun so I can be in the system and I won't have any issues buying ammo for my rifle or my handgun on or after July 1st. I DROS'd my second firearm last month and I ended up getting a Glock 19.

I know some of you guys are gonna say something along the lines of "this dude should've stocked up instead of waiting until now" and for what it's worth I've been stockpiling .223, 5.56 and 9mm to the best of my budget. I also ended up getting a 22LR conversion bolt and mag set because shooting 5 cent rounds sounded appealing to me and it felt like a good way to introduce my girlfriend to shooting.

Here's what happened:

I walked into Turner's and went straight back to the ammo counter where a few employees were standing and one guy asked what he could help me with. I told him I wanted to pick up some bulk 22lr so I could test out the conversion bolt I just picked up and asked what he had. He and the rest of the folks behind the counter said "you should've picked up yesterday, but you can be our guinea pig." I said what the hell, let's see how long this is going to take and see if there are any problems. I figured I'd be good to go because of the Glock that I DROS'd last month and proceeded to hand him my ID. He swiped my REAL ID and asked what my race was and asked if I was in the CFARS system and I responded. He then started typing away and printed out a form (similar to a DROS form) and asked me to verify my information then sign. I skimmed through the paperwork verified my information and signed. A few minutes later the guy asked his co-worker standing next to him "what does this mean?" Then the manager responded "You didn't clear the standard background check. You can do the $19 check and wait but we don't know how long it's gonna be. Unfortunately you can't walk out of here with the ammo until you get a verification. Hopefully you'll get something in the mail explaining why you were denied but I have no idea if that's gonna happen or how long it will take."

I was pretty bummed because I didn't have any ammo to test out the 22lr conversion I bought and I was concerned about being able to buy ammo in the future. I told the manager that it didn't make any sense because I DROS'd my Glock last month and showed him a picture of my paperwork that I had on my phone, that's when I noticed something. My paperwork that was filled out for my Glock showed First Name: JohnDoe Last Name: Person (using these names for the sake of anonymity) and the paperwork that the employee filled out at Turner's showed First Name: John Doe Last Name: Person. I asked if my name came up like that when he swiped my ID and he replied "no, I added the space between your first names because sometimes when we do DROS paperwork for people with Jr. or Sr. in their last names it shows $% signs so I figured it was a mistake on the computer's end." He then asked if I'd like to try again without the space in between my names and I said what the hell I'm already denied what's the worst that could happen. Then again he swiped my ID, printed the papers and I signed again. A few minutes later he said "You passed". I proceeded to pay for the ammo and background checks and asked for a bag so I could take off.

The employee's co-worker said "now we just have to fill out information so you can take "delivery" of this ammo." They proceeded to fill out the quantity, brand, caliber, bullet type, muzzle velocity, muzzle energy, case type and cost per round. That's when everyone behind the counter including myself said WTF. This part alone took over 10 minutes because the cheap bulk box of Aguila didn't have muzzle energy on it. The manager then said "We have to fill everything out according to that email we got this morning but if you can't find the muzzle energy then leave it blank." After that painful 10-15 minutes I had to sign yet another form and I asked the manager if he needed my left kidney before I could walk out with the ammo and he chuckled and thanked me for being a guinea pig and for my patience.

For those of you that read through this ridiculously long post, make sure your information matches your DROS paperwork EXACTLY.

For those of you that were lazy, TLDR:Bought stripped lower in 2012 (not in CFARS/AFS) then bought Glock last month to make sure I was eligible to buy ammo after July 1st. Employee at Turner's added a space in-between my two first names and got denied. Did another background check without space and got approved. Waited 10+ minutes for them to fill out paperwork that had more information on they type of ammo I bought than I'd ever care for before I could leave. Signed a whole bunch of papers and left. Lesson for the day, Make sure your paperwork matches your DROS paperwork exactly.

[AregularGuy]

Why are they tracking cost per round? Ammo tax coming soon I bet!

[Harley Hound]

I load my own.

[Yuki]

I don’t know about the rest of you but I feel safer already. ��

[iMigraine]

They proceeded to fill out the quantity, brand, caliber, bullet type, muzzle velocity, muzzle energy, case type and cost per round.

Strange, when I purchased my ammo from LAX Ammo, they had to select caliber, bullet type and quantity. I didn't hear them mention the other details. It took like two minutes (if that) to do the background check paper work.

I don't hate Turner's but from my past experiences, their customer service is poor. I usually go there as a last resort.

[Helpful_Cub]

I visited Dicks Sporting Goods to get some rifle ammo for a non existent rifle I don't own yet. The counter guy was super nice about it. When it came time to do background stuff he said they take any drivers licence. So as I'm pulling it out he asks if I have a COE. Which I truthfully answered yes. He stops right there and wants my number. Basically to do a normal check for him it's between 10-60 minutes. For a COE he's been getting instant approvals. He basically refused to ring me up since I didn't have my COE number on me, to provide. At least he spent 10 minutes showing me rifles after that. But ya, Ducks greatly wants a COE to mess with ammo sales. I never did get any ammo. Thankfully I didn't need it.

[Bobula]

Fingers crossed

[ItsMarkMan]

Strange, when I purchased my ammo from LAX Ammo, they had to select caliber, bullet type and quantity. I didn't hear them mention the other details. It took like two minutes (if that) to do the background check paper work.

I don't hate Turner's but from my past experiences, their customer service is poor. I usually go there as a last resort.

[ItsMarkMan]

Why are they tracking cost per round? Ammo tax coming soon I bet!

[Mustard]

I wonder if we'll see specialty reloading stores pop up? Like a store that sells ONLY ammo, except now for reloading components/equipment?

It would last 18 months before CA dropped the law-hammer on it.

[BigFatGuy]

Highly recommend LAX Ammo in OC, no BS, nice staff and a sweet old dog that greets customers too.

That dog is fantastic. He follows me around the store, watching intently, until I approach the register. Then he leaves and lays down somewhere.

[Helpful_Cub]

I wonder if we'll see specialty reloading stores pop up? Like a store that sells ONLY ammo, except now for reloading components/equipment?

It would last 18 months before CA dropped the law-hammer on it.

Maybe. There are a lot of common people that wouldn't spend the time to learn how to reload. Buying and paying a tax is much more expedient for most. Keep in mind, if all of the people that owned guns in California were educated on the topic, we won't have most of the anti-gun laws that we do have.

Also keep in mind the DROS is ever increasing with time. This background check will also increase with time. Taxes always go up.

[Beatone]

Glad I'm moving.