Store refused gun sale because of name, race, Charlotte couple says(NC)

wbtv.com ^ | 25 February, 2012 | Brad Hyatt

[marktwain]

CHARLOTTE, NC (WBTV) - A Charlotte couple says Dick's Sporting Goods refused to sell them a gun because of their last name and race.

Bernard and Francine Miller tell us they went to the store on W. T. Harris Boulevard looking for a rifle because they spotted a coyote in their yard.

After forty minutes of shopping and working with the sales agent, they settled on the one that fit their price range. A 22-rifle that cost just over $200.

Bernard was then asked to fill out paperwork. But the couple says after filling out the paperwork, a salesperson refused to sell them the rifle.

"I get ready to hand him the papers back, that's when he come out with a silly grin on his face talking about how he couldn't sell me the rif... how HE wasn't going to sell me the rifle," Miller told WTBV. "HE MADE the decision! He said HE MADE the decision not to sell me a rifle."

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We asked the company for a response to this story but they had no comment. But we did hear that audio tape Francine Miller says she recorded in the store.

In it, the manager said this wasn't a prejudiced act, rather, that it's a federal offense to sell someone a gun which they believe is intended for someone else.

[trebb]

Other than the .22 rifle, about 18 years ago, I hadn’t bought any new firearms until more recent times when the FBI checks were well known to be in place. It just shocks me that they treat rifles like hand guns and disgusts me that they treat hand guns the way they do.