Acaemy's new gun sale policy (GRRRRR)

[srothstein]

Clevernickname caught what I had not. I always thought of the law as rifles and shotguns are 18 and handguns are 21. The shotgun with a pistol grip and no shoulder stock is not a rifle, shotgun, or handgun under the federal definitions. It is not a shotgun since it is not designed to be fired from the shoulder. It is not a rifle for the same reason (plus the obvious barrel requirements). And it is not a handgun since it is not designed to be fired from a single hand.

I never would have thought it, but as I read the laws from this discussion, you would need to be 21 to buy a shotgun that has only a pistol grip, regardless of the barrel and overall length.

[CleverNickname]

It's also not a handgun because handguns have to have a rifled barrel.

[shipwreck]

My local shop will take off the trigger locks. Never had a problem.

[longtooth]

Our Academy here is pretty selective as to who they take the trigger locks off for. If you tell them you are not interested or will not look unless they do, they get real happy to remove them.

[fisherchris]

I posted in a thread a few months back about not being permitted to touch the trigger on a gun I was trying to purchase. I said I was ready to buy but needed to try out the trigger on the actual gun I was buying. They flat out refused to remove the trigger lock on the model in the case or let me even touch the one I was buying until it was paid for. It had not been an issue when I bought a shotgun from them a few months earlier.

They did not seem to broken up when I told them nevermind and and I would walk out without the gun if they did not let me examine the gun fully. I drove over to Sportsman's Warehouse where they were happy to let me try it out. I was not that impressed with the model in question and ended up buying a much more expensive Sig from them as a result.

[PUCKER]

OK, quick question for pistol grip shotguns (with no shoulder stock) - then what is it legally defined as? Reason I ask is that I have a Mossberg 500 12 gage shotgun with a shoulder stock and from time to time I unbolt that and put on the pistol grip (no shoulder stock then)....just curious if that changes the definition of "what" it is...specifically, does that have any implications with Texas law? As in - does the classification change from long gun/rifle to ________ and now is there a different set of rules for carry?

[CleverNickname]

OK, quick question for pistol grip shotguns (with no shoulder stock) - then what is it legally defined as? Reason I ask is that I have a Mossberg 500 12 gage shotgun with a shoulder stock and from time to time I unbolt that and put on the pistol grip (no shoulder stock then)....just curious if that changes the definition of "what" it is...specifically, does that have any implications with Texas law? As in - does the classification change from long gun/rifle to ________ and now is there a different set of rules for carry?

Texas law doesn't define "rifle" or "shotgun". The only definitions I can find are in PC 46.01 where it defines "firearm", "firearm silencer", "handgun", "machine gun", "short barrel firearm" and "zip gun". Either way, the gun you're describing would be a "firearm" under Texas law.

[boomerang]

OK, quick question for pistol grip shotguns (with no shoulder stock) - then what is it legally defined as? Reason I ask is that I have a Mossberg 500 12 gage shotgun with a shoulder stock and from time to time I unbolt that and put on the pistol grip (no shoulder stock then)....just curious if that changes the definition of "what" it is...

If it's long enough, it's still a normal shotgun. If the overall length is less than 26" it's a SBS regardless of barrel length. (It had a shoulder stock so I don't think it can qualify as an AOW.)

specifically, does that have any implications with Texas law? As in - does the classification change from long gun/rifle to ________ and now is there a different set of rules for carry?

If it's over 26" and the barrel is at least 18" then it seems to fall in the big bucket of "firearm" with traditional shotguns under Texas law. IANAL.

[rkhal]

They also won't remove the trigger locks when one is inspecting. I've told them that this policy will limit my purchases to ammo and accessories. I would never purchase a firearm unless I already knew how it would feel, including how the trigger felt.

This is the one that sets me off --- I mentioned it before and you would be amazed at the number of purchasers that thought wanting to try the trigger was a silly thing to do.

On the other hand the S&W Sigma looks like a much better deal than a Glock till you try the trigger.

[DoubleJ]

was at a store the other day, and got hassled about trying the trigger. I asked the lady to take off the trigger lock so I could try the trigger. she took it off, then I squeeze off a few dry fires, and she says to me, "You know, you're really not supposed to do that..."
I just looked at her and said Really? what's it do? she had no answer.
idjits...

[Mike from Texas]

I had no intention of buying an AR from them. I had already bought my stripped lower and rifle kit elsewhere. I had just read about this on another forum and thought it may just be a rogue and ignorant store manager making this the policy for his store. Nope, it's Academy's corporate policy. Of course at first the guy behind the counter tried to tell me it was federal law and I told him that I was certainly not an ignorant gun buyer and that I knew better. So he went and asked his manager and he told me it was policy.

And the shotgun in question is ANY shotgun that has a pistol grip, including full length shotguns that have a buttstock as well.

They do have good prices in the Glock pistols though.

[Liberty]

was at a store the other day, and got hassled about trying the trigger. I asked the lady to take off the trigger lock so I could try the trigger. she took it off, then I squeeze off a few dry fires, and she says to me, "You know, you're really not supposed to do that..."
I just looked at her and said Really? what's it do? she had no answer.
idjits...

I do know if anyone ever does that to any of my guns, without asking, they won't get another chance. It is bad for some firing pins.

[Pete]

The Academy here has an odd policy.

When I bought a handgun I had to be walked out the store, I was not allowed to hold my purchase until out the door.

Odd thing was I showed him my CHL to speed up NCIC check.

So he knew I had a CHL, I could legally carry a loaded handgun concealed all day in the store, but could not carry the unloaded one out the door. The salesman had to do it.

Not a big deal, I just looked at him with a wierd look, he just smiled and said "I know, it is the rule".

[kauboy]

The Academy here has an odd policy.

When I bought a handgun I had to be walked out the store, I was not allowed to hold my purchase until out the door.

Odd thing was I showed him my CHL to speed up NCIC check.

So he knew I had a CHL, I could legally carry a loaded handgun concealed all day in the store, but could not carry the unloaded one out the door. The salesman had to do it.

Not a big deal, I just looked at him with a wierd look, he just smiled and said "I know, it is the rule".

That's probably more of an insurance thing than a "can I trust this guy" thing.
Every gun I've ever purchased; hangun, rifle, shotgun, they've all been carried to the front door for me.


As for Academy's policy, I asked to see one of their M&P ARs and he handed it to me. (I'm above the 21 notch)
I then asked if he would mind if I opened her up to look inside. Before I could even touch the pin; "ACTUALLY, I do mind."
Uh... what? I'm supposed to buy a $900 rifle on exterior looks alone???
No thanks. I handed it back and said I couldn't even consider it without seeing it all.

Good thing I'm building my own.

[Mike1951]

The Academy here has an odd policy.

When I bought a handgun I had to be walked out the store, I was not allowed to hold my purchase until out the door.

Pete,

Wal-Mart has had that policy for years. A manager has to carry any gun to the parking lot before turning it over.