Wal-Mart Sets New Policy on Background Checks for Gun Sales That Exceeds Federal Law

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.

I'm a small-town retailer, and I'd be happy to give up my business and go sweep floors for Sam Walton, were he still alive. His story has been a great inspiration to me, and I hope to let his success spur me on to future greatness. FWIW, small-town merchants who whine about having to compete with Wal-Mart were just being outgunned by a) something approaching "real" customer service, b) selection, and c) low markup, with the expectation of high volume. It really doesn't take a rocket scientist to stay in business in a town where there's a Wal-Mart.

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.

He thinks we're just going to roll over and take it tits up?

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

Why would any resonsible gun owner want people that shouldn`t be able to have firearms be allowed to get them? WalMart is saying that they will sell you a gun when they can determine that you are qualified. What is wrong with that? Did they turn you down?

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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