ID required to buy ammo?

notso556

notso556

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First, I couldn't find an "ammo" specific section to post in so stuck it here. Mods can move as they see fit.

I haven't purchased any ammo in awhile and got asked for ID at two different stores yesterday when shopping. Is this something new? Is it a legal requirement or maybe just the policy of some stores.

I didn't have a problem with it but had not encountered it in the past so am curious.
 
From what I hear it's been that way for over a year. It's been 4-5 years since I bought ammo in a store so I can't confirm.
 
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mostly22lately said:
Big box stores generally have age verification requirements for certain SKUs programmed into the checkout terminals. Tobacco, spray paint, ammunition, stuff like that.
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^^^ this^^^
Go to Young Guns or Fuquay Gun and no ID will be asked for unless you have a peach fuzz baby face.
 
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Not an ID thing, bought a wrist rocket and the young gal asks if I need any ammo, got a few dirty looks from folks in line, told her it was for my ham radio antenna. Like I was going to kill Bambi?
 
I know Wal Mart always asks to see my ID when I buy ammo from them. It's not legally required but nothing is stopping them from doing that as corporate policy for their own sales. I just shrug and show the worker my ID. They don't care lol. They look at it, might say "yep," enter their code on the register and I pay for the ammo. Nothing's being recorded, the worker just has to obey the corporate policy.
 
Hellquest said:
We only ask if they person looks to be under 18. Big box stores are completely different. And it's to cover their ass if that person does anything basically.
I remember Walmart turning me away for 22lr when I was 20 because it could go into a pistol
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When I lived in NJ, under 21, they would ask what .22lr was being purchased for, rifle or pistol. If I said pistol, they wouldn’t sell it to me.
They also had a law requiring a log book to log your name, DL#, and type of ammo. It stops a ton of crime :rolleyes:
 
I grew a beard because I got ID'd for an energy drink at 22. County ordinance says ya had to be 16 to buy em. Took it as a compliment of sorts. But as others have said, yes, a lot of big box stores require you to punch in a birth date on some items to allow ya to check out. They can be held massively liable if an under-21 is sold pistol ammo and they do something stupid with it.
 
Academy doesn’t ask…Walmart does. I’ll give them my birthdate, or sometimes I say 7/4/76. Technically that’s about 1.5 months from my actual birthday, but they never even think about it being 1776. Sometimes just giving them my date works, and I buy it. Sometimes it doesn’t, and I leave it on the counter.
 
amyracecar said:
This^^

You have to be 18 to buy rifle/shotgun ammo + 21 to buy handgun ammo.
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Which is always silly. I have pistols and rifles that shoot almost every caliber.

But I also haven’t looked like I’m under 21 for awhile, so it’s rarely an issue. 😁
 
I got asked at Academy once. Mushmouth was running the register so I had to ask him WTF he said like 3 times since Normally they're only asking if I want to sign up for a store credit card. Once I figured out what he wanted I showed him my ID so he could see I'm better than double the age he was interested in checking for, which is quite evident for intelligent people from the grey stripe of fur on my chin. Turns out he was a trainee and was following policy exactly, not using his judgement. I still see him and he's no longer asking questions like that.
 
Thanks for all the replies. From the looks of it this was just a case of particular store policies rather than some new restriction. Good to know.

But, yeah, when a 60 something that looks it, complete with the gray, gets hit for ID twice in one day it's either flattering or concerning. I'll take it as flattery.
 
amyracecar said:
This^^

You have to be 18 to buy rifle/shotgun ammo + 21 to buy handgun ammo.
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But, Handguns can be chambered for what is normally a rifle round and vice versa
Look at all the different barrels for T/C Contenders and Encores
 
WellCC said:
But, Handguns can be chambered for what is normally a rifle round and vice versa
Look at all the different barrels for T/C Contenders and Encores
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Look at ARs. Any possible caliber you’d chamber a rifle in can be built as a pistol instead.

Use a Glock mag (or Colt 9mm) lower and build any number of rifles in common pistol calibers.
 
WellCC said:
But, Handguns can be chambered for what is normally a rifle round and vice versa
Look at all the different barrels for T/C Contenders and Encores
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But, but, but - I'm not saying I think it is rational, I'm just saying it is....

I was in a firearms safety course years back, one kid was under 21 - his 21yr old friend had to buy the 9mm ammo so he could participate in the shooting portion of the class. Otherwise, I haven't thought about age restrictions in a long time - I even leave my ID in the truck when I go in the liquor store; haven't had to run out and get it yet.
 
noway2 said:
I recall someone here once saying they responded to the question of, “is this for a pistol or rifle?” To which they responded, “neither, it’s for my crossbow”.
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Sir, the ATF classifies it as an Any Other Weapon, so I am unable to answer your question as worded.
 
Hit Denver PSA 2 days ago and they wanted a picture ID for ammo sales. Hell I’m more grey than color these days. You’d think I’d have passed the test…

Kid said state law, not store policy when I questioned him about it.
 
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HandyDave said:
I'm 40 and look atleast 40 haven't been asked to show a I'd for anything in alot of years. Having a full beard at 16 allowed me to buy many things underage that shouldn't have been sold.
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I'm 50, bald, grey bearded, heavily tattooed, and often have individuals I sired, aged 24 and 19, along with me. I still get carded for alcohol at the grocery store. It is what it is.
 
jim2024bob said:
Hit Denver PSA 2 days ago and they wanted a picture ID for ammo sales. Hell I’m more grey than color these days. You’d think I’d have passed the test…

Kid said state law, not store policy when I questioned him about it.
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Does PSA just look at the ID or do they scan it?
 
Ferrisfan said:
Sir, the ATF classifies it as an Any Other Weapon, so I am unable to answer your question as worded.
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No…no they don’t. 😉

AOW is an NFA Classification. 😝

Don’t get AOW and Other Firearm (a category on a 4473) mixed up.

Other than that, I don’t actually know any of the rules around buying/owning a crossbow.
 
My ID is already out when I go to buy ammo. It's right there in the wallet right next to the debit card or cash I already needed to get my wallet out for to pay for said ammo so I don't even think about it. The guy behind the counter is just gonna put 6 or 8 numbers into the register and continue on about his day. I know how those registers are programmed and the guys just doing his or her job. Nothing's recorded in any meaningful way. No harm no foul. I'm not about to get up in my feelings if someone asks for my id like they're supposed to. I'm just glad their behind the counter to actually perform the service of selling me ammo.

Retail is a thankless job where people whine about there not being enough people in the store to help and then berate the employees that are actually there because they're just doing their job. Personally I try to be better than that since I've walked my fair share of miles in those retail workers shoes.
 
Horerczy said:
My ID is already out when I go to buy ammo. It's right there in the wallet right next to the debit card or cash I already needed to get my wallet out for to pay for said ammo so I don't even think about it. The guy behind the counter is just gonna put 6 or 8 numbers into the register and continue on about his day. I know how those registers are programmed and the guys just doing his or her job. Nothing's recorded in any meaningful way. No harm no foul. I'm not about to get up in my feelings if someone asks for my id like they're supposed to. I'm just glad their behind the counter to actually perform the service of selling me ammo.

Retail is a thankless job where people whine about there not being enough people in the store to help and then berate the employees that are actually there because they're just doing their job. Personally I try to be better than that since I've walked my fair share of miles in those retail workers shoes.
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You know who else was just doing their jobs….?

The Nazis.
 
P01135809 said:
I think you might need to be 18 or 21 to purchase so that might be why?

So maybe age verification but not necessarily ID verification.
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I’ve been asked my DOB. Usually respond with “7/4/76”. Clerks don’t even blink or think.
 
jim2024bob said:
You know who else was just doing their jobs….?

The Nazis.
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Godwin's law isn't much of a comparison in this case.

A retail worker is simply in a business transaction to sell their labor to a business for a paycheck.

Nazis were, and still are, true believers to the cause.
 
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Dicks at Dick's used to ask if you were a citizen when buying ammo. Since that's absolutely no requirement and none of their business I would say "sure". Nowadays a non issue given what corporate has turned that place into.
 
When I was a teen working for Kmart, we had to ask for I'd but only handgun ammo if I recall correctly. Circa late 80's...
 
"Hello, Police?"
"Yes, I'd like to request a harassment."
"Yes, harassment. uhhuh. See, there's a guy here who isn't doing anything illegal, but I'd like you to come bother him anyway."
"You will? That's great! See you soon!"
 
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