Bought some ammo at Walmart today....

[NoJoke]

Bought some ammo at Walmart in Oceanside CA today and was asked in mid-transaction, "....is this for a handgun?"
She keyed in a reply (I assume yes) into the register.
I've never had this before.
Why are they asking what my purchase was for?

(I was thinking of replying NO since my purchase wasn't for A hand gun but for a COUPLE of handguns...which is a question she DID NOT ASK. )

[sniper4usmc]

because you need to be 21+ for Handgun ammo vs 18yrs for rifle ammo

[Milsurps]

Bought some ammo at Walmart in Oceanside CA today and was asked in mid-transaction, "....is this for a handgun?"
She keyed in a reply (I assume yes) into the register.
I've never had this before.
Why are they asking what my purchase was for?

They started asking this at the Santa Maria store a couple months ago. I believe it's for the register software for AB962 that's been added. I always reply, Rifle ! It's no difference to them so far.

[SoCal Bob]

Their cash register asks them to verify age when the UPC is scanned in, just as if you were buying alcohol. They have asked this for awhile at the local Walmarts.

[Dubious_Beans]

Heh, I had one of the sales droids at WM ask me if I was over 21 last week.
I just gave him the raised eyebrow "wtf do you think?" look and let him figure it out for himself.

I'm on the wrong side of 50 already, and it's pretty obvious that I'm over 21 unless you're legally blind.
Hell, it's probably been 20 years since I was even carded for alcohol...

[Southpaw45]

They have asked that question for as long as I can remember.

[Baconator]

They might be trying to get an idea of how much of the ammo is being sold for pistols to see if it is worth it to invest in the infrastructure to do what they have to do to be compliant with the law. When I used to work in retail we would ask people for their zip code to see where new stores might be utilized. If they sell enough pistol ammo at enough of a profit, they might decide to invest in the stuff/training to be able to sell it after Feb 1.

[chim-chim7]

I just answer their questions politely. I don't like giving off the typical gun person attitude to people. I guess if you don't like being asked that question, one can buy ammo elsewhere and pay more if they like. Wal-mart is not a gun store, I don't expect the employees to be knowledgeable about guns or ammo. I just buy what I need and leave without feeling frustrated. Try it sometime.

[liketoshoot]

sometimes they ask if I'm over 21, LOL I'm WAY past that and it shows......

[Falstaff]

Since the law states that pistol ammo cannot be sold to people under 21, when someone buys ammo commonly used in both rifle AND pistol they are supposed to follow the law by asking if the intended use is for pistol (and proceeding accordingly). I remember being constantly asked everytime I bought .22LR if it was for a pistol.
That's been the the law for a loooong time in CA. You just got a better trained employee that time that's all. (albeit silly that they couldnt figure out you were at least 21) I 've had some walmart bots insist on scanning my license for ammo purchases there, so you never know if it's some personal agenda interfering with the transaction.

[PsychGuy274]

Just tell them, "I won't be using it in those death machines! I'm an anti-gunner! I'm hoarding ammo to save the children!"

[PonchoTA]

I got some ammo for my dad at a Walmart in NM, and no questions other than credit or debit??




.

[Mezcalfud]

Hit and miss on who asks and frequency of asking but they have been doing this for years and years. Most just hit a button to make the register move along.

[NoJoke]

Since the law states that pistol ammo cannot be sold to people under 21, when someone buys ammo commonly used in both rifle AND pistol they are supposed to follow the law by asking if the intended use is for pistol (and proceeding accordingly). I remember being constantly asked everytime I bought .22LR if it was for a pistol.
That's been the the law for a loooong time in CA. You just got a better trained employee that time that's all. (albeit silly that they couldnt figure out you were at least 21) I 've had some walmart bots insist on scanning my license for ammo purchases there, so you never know if it's some personal agenda interfering with the transaction.

.38 special. When I was 21, the atari64 computer was the "one to have"
First time I've ever been asked....just wondering why is all.

[hks619]

I don't like giving off the typical gun person attitude to people.

I've been on this forum for a short time and have noticed how people are so hardass paranoid about "giving/sharing info" about themselves - "what color are your shoes? Omg why, so you can find my house by the color of my shoes." Wah wah wah.

I think you just answered my question.

Thanks!