Posted on 07/03/2002 2:50:06 PM PDT by I_Publius
Jul 3, 2002
By Brian Skoloff
Associated Press Writer
LITTLE ROCK, Ark. (AP) - Wal-Mart, the nation's biggest gun seller, is strengthening its policy on background checks of firearms buyers beyond the requirements of federal law.
The retail giant directed its stores to hold up sales in which the time limit for a background check had expired because of concern criminals could still get guns, spokeswoman Jessica Moser Eldred said.
Potential gun buyers nationwide undergo a background check through the National Instant Criminal Background Check System. The dealer can sell a gun, though, if the check isn't completed within three business days.
Managers at Wal-Mart's 2,600 American stores must wait until the check is made, no matter how long it takes, before selling a gun, according to the memo signed by company executives. The memo was dated May 31 and the policy is now in effect.
The policy applies only to rifles and shotguns, since Wal-Mart does not sell handguns.
"We wanted to make sure we were doing our part to keep guns out of the hands of those who should not be getting them," Eldred said.
Law enforcement officials are notified if an ineligible buyer gets a gun because the time limit expired, said Gary Wick, assistant operations manager for the national background-check system.
Policies such as Wal-Mart's can help prevent potentially dangerous situations, he said, especially when law officers try to retrieve the gun.
"Then it becomes an officer safety issue, because a lot of people will get upset when an officer comes after a gun they have bought," Wick said.
The National Rifle Association said it is considering its response to Wal-Mart's policy. The group disagrees with the policy "in the sense that it penalizes law abiding citizens," said spokesman Andrew Arulanandam.
AP-ES-07-03-02 1726EDT
This story can be found at: http://ap.tbo.com/ap/breaking/MGA5IP3Q73D.html
Now then: We sell new guns at our cost plus 10 percent. Wal-Mart sells new guns at approximately our cost. While it irritates me personally that I have to be held to their pricing on some new guns, they only carry about 12, and we really don't make any money on new guns anyway. It is rumored that the guns they sell are factory seconds or factory refurbs, but I can't present any evidence of that. I can say that if you buy, say, a 500-ct. box of Winchester .22 ammo at Wal-Mart, then go buy the exact same box at a regular sporting goods store, you'll see that there's a visible difference in quality or finishing, but I don't know that there's any performance difference.
We also do not release guns to people who haven't been "cleared" by the NICS check, just as a "CYA" move. While Wal-Mart can afford to be sued if some whack job takes one of their guns to work, we sure as hell can't. I'm sorry if people feel this is an encroachment on their liberties, but guess who's not gonna put his business on the line for $30 in profit--me.
Yah he does. I think he's some kind of euro-nationalist or sumthin. Yakked at him on a few other threads and all he's got is "you can't do anything about it" or "it's too late" blah-blah-blah..ect.....
I'm not even sure why he's here cause it aint to effect change.
EBUCK
The question, rather, is why would any Constitution-loving business or individual seek to be more intrusive than our unConstitutional laws require in checking out a potential gun-buyer?
By the way, where in the Second Amendment do you find the word "qualified?" Am I missing something?
I wonder if Wal-Mart determines if customers buying axes, hammers, and knives are "qualified," too? Last I heard these can be pretty lethal, too.
Wonder how our Republic survived back in the days (that I still remember) when you could walk into a store and buy a gun or even order one via the mail?
And, nope. Sorry to disappoint: Never been turned down for a gun sale, yet.
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