Big 5 worst experience ever!

[mosinnagantm9130]

I agree with the rest, it probably reeked of "straw purchase" to the clerk.

[sniper5]

Probably wouldn't help in this particular case but when I go shopping with my wife for a firearm for either of us when we are both in the shop discussing it we just ask: "Which one of us do you want to DROS?" Kills any perception of straw purchase. And the answer is usually whichever one is holding it when the question is asked.

[ConfucianScholar]

I would be on the gun store clerks side...but it seems the clerk did not explain to the lady the concept of the straw purchase adequately because she walked away feeling discriminated as a woman. Is that good salesmanship? No.

Anyways, I've walked away from a big 5 at least a couple of times before because the sales clerk in the gun section was annoying.

[Excelsior]

I would be on the gun store clerks side...but it seems the clerk did not explain to the lady the concept of the straw purchase adequately because she walked away feeling discriminated as a woman. Is that good salesmanship? No.

Anyways, I've walked away from a big 5 at least a couple of times before because the sales clerk in the gun section was annoying.

How so?

If I took the time to go to B5 to look at guns, I certainly wouldn't allow myself to become annoyed to the point where I then left...

[Rob454]

I can see how it would seem that it was a straw purchase since you were getting it and then he was getting it. I never had a problem at big 5. What i suggest you do is call corporate and explain to them what happen. Then walk in to one of their stores and tell them you want whatever gun. fill out the paperwork and pay for it.
its too bad that they stopped the sale but you should of been more decisive and said flat out I am the purchaser of the gun. he is here for moral support. If he then decided not to sell to you then that would be discriminatory. you have to see their side of things where they probably get a LOT of hey honey lets get this gun wink wink and the woman is the one who buys the gun.

[Excelsior]

I think this is one where people need to allow their emotions to settle and give the incident the benefit of some deeper thought.

Yes, on the one hand I could see how the clerk would be very wary of straw purchases, particularly given the situation. On the other side of the coin, why the hell else would he have done what he did? What other driving force is there? I simply can't think of one. The notion of him exhibiting sexism in that matter just doesn't pass the smell test when you consider the environment he works in, the training/indoctrination he has endured and the fact he has absolutely nothing to gain and his job to lose if he actually did discriminate based on a potential buyer's sex.

[Merc1138]

This sounds like a clerk worrying about a straw purchase, and not a clerk being discriminatory. As people have said, the simple solution is that if you're buying the shotgun for yourself, then go by yourself and buy it.

When you go by yourself and the clerk starts making comments about how it's too big, or get the 20ga. or a "little lady like you should get something smaller" and any of that crap, that's discrimination.

I personally end up getting dragged all over the place, the mechanic, car dealership, hardware store, etc. because my female family members and friends think that they're going to get spoken down to, ripped off, etc. because they're a woman. With a gun purchase, you need to go about it a little differently. I bet if you had known about all of the straw purchase problems before going down there with your boyfriend, and handled the situation differently, then there wouldn't have been an issue at all. Big 5 is a fairly large chain, and they aren't about to let employees get away with being sexist a-holes but they still need to cover their ***. Like Excelsior said, the employee would risk losing his job behaving in a sexist manner, but also risks losing his job(and the store losing their FFL) for allowing a straw purchase.

Wait till you see the thing on sale again, and go buy it yourself.

BTW, make your own account and stop relying on your boyfriend for all of your gun related stuff. Asking for advice is one thing, but you're an adult and can make your own forum account, buy your own guns, etc.

[MrClamperSir]

Sorry to read about your experience. The first step towards beginning your own firearms collection is to open your own CGN account here, under your chosen handle and not his. As the others have mentioned, Big 5 isn't the only vendor in town.

Take a Women on Target course for shotgun and get more exposure on the other models out there before plunking a bunch of cash down on a purchase. Good luck!

BTW, make your own account and stop relying on your boyfriend for all of your gun related stuff. Asking for advice is one thing, but you're an adult and can make your own forum account, buy your own guns, etc.

Best advise yet.

[Foriegn power]

This happened to me, I was with my father and myself. The so called retired federal blah blah manager did not want to sell us a shotgun because he also thought we were trying to make a straw purchase. Such B.S like this just means I do not give them my business.

[Merc1138]

This happened to me, I was with my father and myself. The so called retired federal blah blah manager did not want to sell us a shotgun because he also thought we were trying to make a straw purchase. Such B.S like this just means I do not give them my business.

Did you not read the thread? That isn't big5's fault. It's the fault of the criminals who show up trying to make straw purchases, and the massive penalties that get put on the FFL holders for not being able to tell the difference between a straw purchase and a woman buying a gun who can't do it by herself without having a man present.

[pTa]

My question is; is not a straw purchase only a Straw, if the (Straw)person is prohibited from buying one themselves.. I believe you can buy a gun for a GF/ BF as a Gift.. I don't like big 5 at all, but I am glad they still sell guns... in the state... My GF had a bad time at one years ago..they would not take a $15 check.. so she has NEVER done business with them again.. that was 15 years ago.. there are a lot of other dealers who will take your money, so if they don't play, don't pay.. B2B

WRONG the ''STRAW" in the "Straw Purchaes'' is the "Strwman'' or the person Droseing the weapon/ They are purchasing it so a prohibited party can bypas the background check/
If the ''Strawperson" is prohibited DOJ woudl deny the sale/

[Kanester]

People are way to quick to shout discrimination in this world. If you have the $$$, in this economy I dont think there is any gun store in the country that would turn you away because you are male/female/somewhere in between. From what it sounds like in this case the clerk did the right thing. You can't imply during an entire transaction that the gun is for one person, and then when the paperwork begins you say "I want this in my name". That reeks of a straw purchase which is highly illegal. Its like if I get one of my cop buddys to get me a Handgun with high-cap magazines and than have it transferred to me after he takes possesion. Big No-No.

I would suspect a chain like Big 5 would have a zero tolerance policy with something as serious as firearms, and that person would have likely AT LEAST lost thier job if they did the sale for you. FFl's can loose thier license and be fined big $$ by the DOJ. That's great if you want a gun for yourself, I would just be more careful of what is said/presented in the shop. My wife joked recently when I was picking up a handgun I just bought that "Careful, or I might snap and use this on you". She was obviously joking, but I told her immediately that it is not something you say at a gun store, especially in front of the owner. Anyway, im sorry this was a bad experience for you and hope you have a gun soon to call your own.

[CSACANNONEER]

Sorry to hear about your experience. Unfortunately, the salesperson made a mistake here. However, it is far better for all gun owners that he did what he did. I do agree that it sucks and you should express your dissatisfaction to the corparate office but, it is much more common for a GF to buy a gun for her prohibited BF than the other way around. The salesperson had a feeling and was bound by law to act on it. Yea, he was wrong but, he had no real choice. Maybe, he overheard the two of you talking and one of you infered the wrong thing.

I would consider going back to the same store and having your BF DROS the gun. Then, as soon as the 10 days are up, have him PPT it to you. It'll cost an extra $35 and another 10 day wait so, Big5 should compensate you for the PPT fees, extra trip to the store and being denied the gun for 10 extra days. So, if the corparate is willing to compensate you $50-$100 for your extra expenses and trouble, I say, give them another try and make it a point to have the same salesperson help you while explaining exactly what is going on to him. That way, the next time you buy a gun there, it'll be easier for you. Also, let him know that you now understand why he denied you the first time and you don't blame him for following the law and protecting the stores FFL so that you can continue to legally buy guns there.

[Unicorn food]

Get an 870 for your first SG!~

[TonyNorCal]

I think talking to the overall store manager is not a bad idea.

I'd make sure I was calm beforehand (even though I know this can be emotional and upsetting). I'd explain the situation, that neither of you are prohibited, both enjoy shooting, and you wanted to own a gun of your own.

I'd try to remain professional and calm and not necessarily accuse people of things. Just explain what happened. I think it's likely you'll be able to get the situation resolved. If the Big 5 is near you and convenient it might be nice to feel comfortable going there and exercising your rights. Buying guns is fun.

As others here have said, the clerk probably felt he was doing the right thing based on the interaction he saw. I think this misunderstanding can be cleared up.

Good luck and hope you get and enjoy a shotgun.