My Wal-Mart run-in with an anti-gunner

[oaklander]

So a few days ago, me and another Calgunner drive down to a local Wal-Mart to buy some ammo.

The store is crowded and busy.

As I'm buying a 1000 rounds of 45 ACP in the Sporting Goods department, this guy is waiting in line for a refund or something and starts to give me dirty looks.

Then he says, "you've got enough there to start a war."

I thought for a second and then replied with the truth, "yes, this will last me about a month or so."

He just smirks, and continues to give me dirty looks.

My and my friend later joke about what I should have said.

Some of our ideas were along the lines of:

"Yes, there's a lot of people who need killing."

"I'm getting ready for a zombie attack."

"Just want to make sure I really kill the bastard."

And stuff like that.

Then I realize that being honest and polite was the best thing I could have done. The reason is that this guy may have never even talked to a shooter before, and it was my only chance to make a good impression on him.

The moral of the story is that we are all ambassadors for the sport, and when dealing with non-shooters, we should be polite.

[hitman13]

Good story brother.

[gcvt]

Invite him to the range, throw some lead down range, have a beer at a local bar...next thing you know, he's on this forum asking about how to obtain his CA-legal firearm(s) of choice

[Nefarious]

you should have said "yea, this will last me a couple of hours"

I say you handled that pretty well. Comments like that always catch me off guard

[Ford8N]

Yes, it's best to be polite. I too have met a Brady believer. Had the tye died tee shirt, Birkenstocks and all. His girlfriend was buying a car from me. We were showing the car and talking pleasantries when he noticed the NRA hat. He was kinda slow on the uptake. He got all in a twitter when I said I was a member. Even got moon eyed when I said, yes I have more than just one, and don't always use them to hunt. His girlfriend was cool about it, she was a fence sitter and I could have easily converted her. I was tired and didn't really feel like shredding this guy with logic, I really wanted to sell the car. So I kept my cool and polite face on. I hope I made a good impression that NRA hat wearing gun owners are not like some of Hank Hill's neighbors.

[Ding126]

Good story, good conclusion!

[elsolo]

I received a similar comment at Walmart once while buying ammo. Before I had to chance to think of something witty, I said:

"At this price, you should probubly be buying some too."

[cobra198]

Very true... I first got into firearms when someone took the time to be polite and explain the lay of the land to me. Thats all it took to get me hooked. Now I always try to be open to answer others questions and get them into the sport.

[Ballistic043]

what gave you the idea he was anti gun?

im only asking because thats probably the comment i hear most when buying ammo.

old people are known for their dirty looks and comments; maybe the guy was just in a bad mood.. you can never tell with those people because some of them have a safe full of rifles at home.

[Beelzy]

That is exactly why I spend a little more and buy ammo from a Gunshop.

[Ballistic043]

let me get this straight, you pay more just so -other- customers treat you nice?

[Mr. Joshua]

I've had it happen a few times at Wally World where the people in line behind me ask why I'm buying so much ammo.

I get this henchman like grin on my face and chuckle, then I say, "neighborhood watch program."

[Bowser]

Should have said "You've got enough to become a victim."

[Greg-Dawg]

Then he says, "you've got enough there to start a war."

Your answer: Why? Are you invading?

[lead chucker]

Then he says, "you've got enough there to start a war."

No - just enough to finish it!

BTW: That's a pretty innocuous remark... I can see myself saying it in similar circumstances just to open a conversation.