Gun Store Policy re handling firearms

S

sailor723

CGN Ultra frequent flyer
Rating - 100%
45   0   0
Location
New Brunswick
In the past month or so while my PAL application has been in I've dropped into a couple of gun stores and our local CT. All but one have had a "no PAL card to present..no handling " policy. Is this a legal requirement under the Firearms Act or a case of corporate policy? I'm guessing the latter as I've handled/shot a variety of firearms at ranges over the last 2-3 months without a PAL.

In all cases I introduced myself, explained that I had recently passed the CFSC, had a club membership (showed it) and was waiting for my RPAL. I explained that I would be interested in a 9mm and .22 handgun, a .22 rifle or two (maybe one semi, one lever), ammunition, cases, trigger locks, hearing and eye protection, cleaning kit, range bag and a storage cabinet or safe One store was actually a bit snotty about it (I obviously won't be buying there). Not that it should matter but I'm a middle aged professional and was well dressed (just coming from the office) at the time.
 
Yes and no. The law provides for a PAL holder to allow use of a firearm by a non holder in his presence. That was intended for minor children to shoot with adults. Most stores have such a policy but some stores will allow handling upon proof of cfsc
 
They may feel as though you are wasting their time, as you aren't able to buy at that times.
And guns may be a touchy subject for some, at this time in New Brunswick.
 
trebor2880 said:
They may feel as though you are wasting their time, as you aren't able to buy at that times.
And guns may be a touchy subject for some, at this time in New Brunswick.
Click to expand...



I've owned a retail business for some time and have found employees with that type of short term "if you're not buying today I'm not wasting my time with you" attitude have often cost me money and never lasted long in my employ.

as to your second point this was well before the events in Moncton.
 
I went to cdn tire, and when i told them i was waiting for my card; i was only alllowed to look through glass.

At the variety/gas/gun store I told them the same thing, and they gladly let me look at a couple different shotguns.

A few days ago, the variety/gas/gun store even ordered me a rifle for the kids with no deposit. If the customer service is better at a place with a slightly higher price I will shop there. for example the savage is $10 more where i ordered it, but the store has been in the area and is a family owned/ business so id rather give them the extra $10 to support my local economy and not buy a CEO a new boat.
 
Remember alot of these guys get way more stress from the local doughnut munchers than most of us. It is their property and you never know when an undercover super-cop is going to try to make a name for hisself off of someone's friendliness and customer service attitude.
 
I've seen that in a few stores for restricteds and don't really have a problem with it. If you don't have a license you're unlikely to buy it. It also keeps the street punks out of the gun shops. It is not a policy to degrade paying customers.
 
As others have stated , it may be more of an issue of the store not seeing you as a serious buyer without your license . I am sure many stores get lots of lookie lou gunfighter wanna be's who just want to handle the firearms and waste their time . The store may also have an internal policy of no license , no handle for safety and liability reasons.....
 
Gunexpert007 said:
As others have stated , it may be more of an issue of the store not seeing you as a serious buyer without your license . I am sure many stores get lots of lookie lou gunfighter wanna be's who just want to handle the firearms and waste their time . The store may also have an internal policy of no license , no handle for safety and liability reasons.....
Click to expand...

As I explained above, I gave my name, showed my gun club membership card and explained my PAL status. (courses passed,license application filed etc etc). Companies are free to set whatever corporate policies they choose but I can say that, given the way I was "blown off", they won't be seeing the 3-4K I'll be spending in the next month or two.
 
As an aside I seem to be constantly driving to Calais (Maine) to pick up UPS or Fedex parcels for a variety of things either my wife or I have bought online. I really don't understand why but I routinely find US customer service, selection and speed of shipping to be far superior to that of Canadian retailers. I'm new to guns but it appears this generalzation holds true for the firearms industry as well.

I wonder why? Lack of competition maybe?....captive market etc etc?
 
Call said:
I know of one gun store that makes the decision based on the individual; if it is a punk kid in with three of his buddies talking about "gats" and "40 cals", no chance. A "regular" guy, more likely so.
Click to expand...



Hate to stereotype but that kind of makes sense to me. (easier to say that not being a "punk" and a long way from being a "kid" :) )
 
sailor723 said:
Hate to stereotype but that kind of makes sense to me. (easier to say that not being a "punk" and a long way from being a "kid" :) )
Click to expand...

I might be wrong, but if he has his hat on backwards, his pants down to his knees with his ass showing, and he can't make full sentences, its likely that he has no job, no license, and no money to purchase a firearm.
 
fiddler said:
I might be wrong, but if he has his hat on backwards, his pants down to his knees with his ass showing, and he can't make full sentences, its likely that he has no job, no license, and no money to purchase a firearm.
Click to expand...

This is what I was going for, yes. You can't ALWAYS judge a book by it's cover, but sometimes you can judge one ONLY by it's cover.
 
sailor723 said:
As an aside I seem to be constantly driving to Calais (Maine) to pick up UPS or Fedex parcels for a variety of things either my wife or I have bought online. I really don't understand why but I routinely find US customer service, selection and speed of shipping to be far superior to that of Canadian retailers. I'm new to guns but it appears this generalzation holds true for the firearms industry as well.

I wonder why? Lack of competition maybe?....captive market etc etc?
Click to expand...

Maine customer service is excellent, I go to Walmart to play with ARs. The only problem I find is all the damn ignorant Canadians that fill up the stores on the weekend.
 
Some stores are all about bringing new people into shooting sports and try to teach you things/talk to you, some are an old boys club where it's buy something or leave and some still are just "leave.". It's up to you to weed out the bad ones and give the good ones as much business as possible.

sailor723 said:
As an aside I seem to be constantly driving to Calais (Maine) to pick up UPS or Fedex parcels for a variety of things either my wife or I have bought online. I really don't understand why but I routinely find US customer service, selection and speed of shipping to be far superior to that of Canadian retailers. I'm new to guns but it appears this generalzation holds true for the firearms industry as well.

I wonder why? Lack of competition maybe?....captive market etc etc?
Click to expand...

From what little I know of Maine they like Canadians in general. But that aside, maybe its just that US retailers are ultra-competitive with one another and genuinely WANT you to pick them. In Canada everyone is colluding or buying from the same distributor and they don't care to make the sale cause they know there's no where else local...I have a hobbyist store like that near me >_> I won't even go in there to buy glue.
 
You have got to do what I did today. I am still laughing. I went to Wholesale sports and asked for a specific rifle. The guy asked to see the card so I showed him a valid POL license (not the pal) he brought out the rifle and I handled it. I then said I want it and handed him the Visa. He asked for the PAL so I handed him the POL license. He looked at it and said I cannot allow the sale due to insufficient licensing. I told him I wanted the rifle and would he PLEASE call someone who would authorize it or get approval. Over comes the store manager and after hearing from the employee, He stated we cannot by law sell me the firearm and that handling it was the limit of my license in their store. I told him I would like to bet him 50 bucks that when they call the RCMP for approval it will go through. I told him I found a loophole and was purchasing the rifle to prove as much. He would not bet me and I said you will either walk out of here with 50 bucks or lose 50 bucks and I pulled out a 50 and handed it to the employee and said you are the referee. He said it won't go through but OK. I handed him the POL license. Fortunately I had taken a small piece of tape and written the number 4 on it and it covered up what was the 3 on my POL license. The number did not change when I upgraded to a PAL except the very last digit which I had covered up. I also told the manager he needed to talk to the RCMP as though it were a PAL license and if it were approved, together we could take it to the newspapers. I think he was more than a little PO'D that I got 50 off the rifle when I told him how I did it. He must have thought we were going to be on national TV when they gave the OK.
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Back
Top Bottom