Gun shop laws....

Stugotsnutz

Stugotsnutz

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Can some one tell me if a gun shop is legally allowed to show me a handgun, ie restricted gun, if I do not hold a rpal, my rpal is still pending, after 4 weeks, but a reasonably local shop, has a hand gun that I am interested in, but before purchasing I want to be sure it will fit my small hand. I realize that I can't buy it yet, but I do not want to miss the chance to buy it as it may be gone prior to my rpal approval, and would put a deposit pending rpal arrival. Can they legally allow me to handle the handgun in the store?
 
It's no different than you holding a friends, you will be under the direct supervision of a lisenced person, whether the shops policy allows that is the question.
 
Stugotsnutz said:
Can some one tell me if a gun shop is legally allowed to show me a handgun, ie restricted gun, if I do not hold a rpal, my rpal is still pending, after 4 weeks, but a reasonably local shop, has a hand gun that I am interested in, but before purchasing I want to be sure it will fit my small hand. I realize that I can't buy it yet, but I do not want to miss the chance to buy it as it may be gone prior to my rpal approval, and would put a deposit pending rpal arrival. Can they legally allow me to handle the handgun in the store?
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In short, Yes. They just can not release it to you even if it is paid for until you have your RPAL and gun club membership in place to get the STATT.
 
It's true. My local WSS asks you to present your RPAL before they open the case. I'm not sure if they will if you do not have one, I didn't bother asking as I had heard it was their policy not to. I was also told I needed to keep my license on the counter (in view of the cameras...in hindsight I wonder if it's a dummy since he made such a deal about pointing it out and waving to it) while I held the pistols, otherwise both he and I would be subject to fines which I am about 99% sure he made up on the spot.

The only other time I've been there to handle a pistol the guy took my license and placed it IN the (open) case while I looked over a P220. Not required but certainly aggravating. The second guy was very helpful though, I suspect he was simply following store policy. The first guy I made a point to buy nothing from. Seems my options are put up with it if I want to see their pistols or don't and buy elsewhere (I bought elsewhere).
 
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I think it may be worth mentioning that if you do find something you really like, or a fantastic deal, you can pay for it and the gun shop should be willing to hold it until you get your license and can get it transferred to you and take possession. That's what I did for my first rifle, and it was a good idea too because right after that those rifles got scarce.
 
99% of the time ive never been asked to produce my license.
but last time i was in WSS they asked for it and put it in the gun cabinet where the pistol i was looking at had been.
i just assumed the guy put it there to remind him who had the gun.

i didnt really care, i just wanted to look at the pistol.
i also dont blame them.
it would cut down on tire kickers.

would they let someone take a car for a test drive without a license?
 
As I say, if it's company policy and the employee is simply following that. Fine, that's no problem (I was the only one in the section looking at pistols...or any firearms at all...so I doubt it was a memory thing). He's just doing his job, and I won't begrudge him for doing what his manager says he has to. I don't even mind if they want to check I have an RPAL before opening the case, I get the tire kicker thing. It'd get tiresome opening it for dozens, if not hundreds, of non licensed people over the course of the year. No potential for sale (or very little...maybe someone will love something and get the RPAL for the gun, but a small %).

What bothered me was the first guy making a big deal about how everything I did was being watched and recorded, and how I would be personally fined if my license was not on the counter at all times while I handled the firearms. Now I'll admit my ignorance if someone can show me the truth of that statement, but to my knowledge you don't even need an RPAL, just be under the direct supervision of an RPAL holder (the guy trying to sell you the gun). Anything beyond that is company policy (which will not include fining their potential customer base). Meanwhile he made no sales pitch and just seemed irritated I was still there, asking questions and wanting to see more. A really off putting first experience at looking at firearms, but as I say my second was worlds better, like night and day.

Op: For what it's worth, there's no harm in asking. The worst thing that they can tell you is "no." If that's the case then you'll have to wait and come back later, but at least you'll know.
 
Big chains sell high volumes of goods at lower margins to make their profits. That means they need lots of staff (at the lowest wages they can get away with) and more rigid rules and procedures to stop staff discovering new ways to screw up. It is no different if the big chain is selling guns. If you want flexibility and reason to rule how they serve you, go to a small independent shop where the owner is the hands on decision maker. If you get a good one, they'll take care of you.
 
I don't care if they want to cut down on "tire kickers," they should be promoting firearm ownership. If one guy a year decides to get their RPAL because they fell for a gun they handled, we all win.

And the comparison to test driving the car is moot - you can look at a new car without producing your license. You aren't asking to test fire the gun, just look at it.
 
Thanks for the responses, I was able to answer my concerns at Flaherty's in Toronto, they had my choice of gun there so I was able to handle it, and left a deposit, now have to finish the big wait. However all is good. Interesting about Epps, was in there a month ago and was refused any viewing at all. Was a bit disheartening as I am from Northern Ontario originally and love my many trips to Epps, over my 60 plus years, felt like I was mistreated. Why have they been centered out by the CFO to be forced to behave like this, as it turns out I have moved on, begrudgingly, from the perceived slight. Maybe by Christmas I hope to be able to pick up my new Sig from Toronto, and not Orillia. Thanks again for the info.
 
Stugotsnutz said:
Thanks for the responses, I was able to answer my concerns at Flaherty's in Toronto, they had my choice of gun there so I was able to handle it, and left a deposit, now have to finish the big wait. However all is good. Interesting about Epps, was in there a month ago and was refused any viewing at all. Was a bit disheartening as I am from Northern Ontario originally and love my many trips to Epps, over my 60 plus years, felt like I was mistreated. Why have they been centered out by the CFO to be forced to behave like this, as it turns out I have moved on, begrudgingly, from the perceived slight. Maybe by Christmas I hope to be able to pick up my new Sig from Toronto, and not Orillia. Thanks again for the info.
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My local gun shop allowed me to handle a couple of rifles while i was waiting for my PAL to come through.

However you should have checked with the club you're joining first to see how long the probationary period is first (my club is 3 months) and then buy your restricted.
It ain't no fun looking at your restricteds in a safe waiting for you probationary period to finish and then having to wait for your ATT before you can even take the gun to the range.
 
my72jeep said:
Last time I was in EPPS, it had a no PAL NO handle the gun policy.
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Epps is extreme.
They didn't allow my wife to hold the .22 pistol I wanted to buy for her, and that after I presented my RPAL.
Guess what, they didn't make a sale.
This experience "forced" me to find other, much better places to buy restricted firearms.
 
Epps is extreme.
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Epps is a special case, because they have extra scrutiny from the CFO and other authorities. Two years ago they had a customer bring in a loaded gun (possibly because it was jammed), and it discharged when he thumped the case on the counter. Two people caught that bullet. Since then, they have to go above and beyond to prove that stupid people won't do anything like that again.
 
A gun shop in our area had an employee that would not show you a handgun without seeing your RPAL. It p!ssed off so many people that he was eventually let go. Those who would have bought something in the store, bought elsewhere. As a policy, it sucked and cost good will.

If it's not law, it's just bull sh!t and harassment from a shop that needs good customer PR to survive. People vote with their feet, taking their business elsewhere.


seabass23 said:
I have heard of stores asking four RPAL confirmation before opening the case. Probably just because they don't want to waste their time.
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Well that's pretty typical anti logic....how the heck does not showing an empty proved gun to a prospective customer keep anyone from entering the store and plopping a loaded gun on the counter. The stupid must hurt.
 
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